Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 24th, 2013 8:56AM

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

Avalanche Canada esharp, Avalanche Canada

Avalanche danger could be higher than forecast in areas that receive more snow than expected.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: It looks like the Interior Mountains will see snow for Christmas, as a stream of moisture spreads from the North Wednesday afternoon and overnight into ThursdayTonight and Wednesday: Snow amounts 10-20 cm. Alpine temperatures -5. Ridgetop winds moderate from the southwest.Thursday: Snow amounts 10-25 cm. Alpine temperatures -3. Ridgetop winds moderate from the South. Freezing levels rising to 1400 m.Friday: Snow amounts tapering off with up to10 cm. Alpine temperatures near -4. Freezing levels 1300 m.Special Notice: Our radar has just picked-up what appears to be a flying sleigh. Our forecasters believe the sleigh belongs to Santa as it is being pulled by at least 8 reindeer. The sleigh is now in the far north of the province at the 2000m elevation and is currently headed south. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Avalanche Summary

We're still receiving reports of the basal crust facet combo causing large natural avalanche to ground on N to NE aspects. As a result you'll notice that there is a Persistent Slab problem on the front page. Human triggering of large destructive avalanches is possible at this time.

Snowpack Summary

We're dealing with a complex snowpack in the Cariboo Mountains at this time.Up to 150cm of snow can be found at treeline. Alpine snow depths vary between 1-2m. With 40 to 60cm of snow now sits on a variety of old weak layer from early December: surface hoar, faceted snow, and/or a crust. Reactive wind slabs have formed in lee terrain and cross-loaded features at and above treeline.Previously warm temps have formed a cohesive mid pack on top of the late november surface hoar or facets. Snowpack tests results are varied but some are showing this layer pop with medium loads. This indicates a potential for human triggering.In many places we're still dealing with a relatively thin snowpack so there's not a whole lot of snow between riders and the sugary snow (facets) near the ground. We're still receiving reports of the basal crust facet combo causing large natural avalanche to ground. As a result you'll notice that there is a Persistent Slab problem on the front page. Human triggering of large destructive avalanches is possible at this time.

Problems

Storm Slabs

An icon showing Storm Slabs
New snow, accompanied by wind continues to loaded a layer of recently buried  surface hoar . This has resulted in some touchy storm slabs.
Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.>Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs
A buried persistent weak layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or crust is buried by 40-70 cm of storm snow and may be susceptible to human triggering. Wind slab avalanches may step down and trigger larger persistent slab avalanches.
Avoid rock outcroppings, steep convexities and anywhere the snowpack feels thinner than average.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>Whumpfing is direct evidence of a buried instability.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Dec 25th, 2013 2:00PM

Login