Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 17th, 2015 8:33AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

esharp, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

With plenty of low density snow already available for transport, the southwesterly winds forecast for Friday are expected to drive avalanche activity early in the coming storm.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY: the first wave of a series of storms is expected to hit bringing up to 15cm of new snow through the day, accompanied by light to moderate westerly winds.Â The temperature at tree-line is expected to range between -5C in the south of the region and -15C in the north. SATURDAY: No snow is expected. Winds will continue to be light from the south and the tree-line temperature will creep up to -5C.Â SUNDAY: Up to 10cm of snow, moderate to strong south winds, -10C at tree-line.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no reports of recent avalanche activity.

Snowpack Summary

It sounds like good riding conditions out there. Recent variable winds have produced small wind slabs on both south and north aspects. Below tree-line a layer of surface hoar can be found buried down 80 to 130cm. It is of greatest concern in open features such as cut blocks and old burns, at elevations between 1400 and 1800m. Snow pit tests on this interface have been widely variable producing sudden planar, resistant planar and sudden collapse results. The mid and lower portions of the snowpack are thought to be mainly well consolidated.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Reactive pockets of wind slab are expected to develop at tree-line and in the alpine through the day.

Avoid freshly wind loaded features at ridge-line and use ridges or ribs to sneak around these problem areas.>Shooting cracks and recent avalanches are all strong indicators of unstable snowpack.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

A layer of buried surface hoar can be found below tree-line between 1400m and 1800m. Test profiles indicate that this interface may still be sensitive to human triggering.

Avoid open slopes, convex rolls, burns, cutblocks and terrain traps when traveling below treeline. This is where buried surface hoar is best preserved and most volatile.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 4

Valid until: Dec 18th, 2015 2:00PM