Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 19th, 2019 4:57PM

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

shorton, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Touchy slabs may exist on steep and wind loaded slopes, carefully monitor the new snow for signs of instability.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Wind speed and direction is uncertain

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries, strong southwest wind, alpine temperatures drop to -12 C.SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks, strong west wind, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.MONDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, moderate northwest wind, alpine high temperatures around -10 C.TUESDAY: Cloudy skies, scattered flurries with 5 cm of snow, moderate to strong west wind, alpine high temperatures around -10 C.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported, but the combination of new snow and strong wind has likely left reactive wind slabs in steep terrain.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of snow has fallen in the past few days with strong wind potentially forming deeper deposits at high elevations. The new snow sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts, potentially creating touchy slab conditions. In addition to wind loaded slopes, other suspect areas are steep rolls below 2000 m (where the largest surface hoar exists) and steep south-facing slopes in the alpine (where sun crusts exist).The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

10-20 cm of new snow has been blown around into reactive slabs at higher elevations. A layer of surface hoar and crusts beneath the slabs could make them extra touchy.

Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking and recent avalanches.Be careful as you transition into wind affected terrain.Be cautious in open terrain features, such as cutblocks, gullies, and cutbanks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 20th, 2019 2:00PM