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.
esharp,
Avalanche Canada
