Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 4th, 2013 9:15AM

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

triley, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Saturday: Dry and cool overnight with no precipitation. Light precipitation starting in the morning, expect 5-10 cms during the day. Winds becoming moderate-strong Southerly on Saturday. Freezing level rising up to about 1000 metres.Sunday: Light precipitation is expected to continue during the day. Winds becoming light Southerly. Alpine temperatures around -5.0 and freezing levels at the valley bottoms.Monday: Continued light precipitation. Temperatures cooling off to about -10.0 in the alpine overnight.

Avalanche Summary

Loose snow avalanches (sluffing) continue to be reported from steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

A thin layer of dry cold snow has buried recent surface hoar layers. Surface hoar growth resulted in bigger crystals observed at treeline and below (up to 10mm). In protected areas, the surface hoar continues into the alpine but crystal size is significantly smaller and distribution is patchy. Near surface faceting has penetrated the upper snowpack as deep as 30cm, keeping the surface snow soft. The patchy sun from the past few days has left behind a thin, breakable crust on south and west aspects. The mid-pack is well settled.

Problems

Wind Slabs

A thin layer of cold dry new snow may be hiding recent wind slabs.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Jan 5th, 2013 2:00PM