Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 19th, 2019–Jan 20th, 2019

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Cariboos.

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

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.

Avalanche 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