Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 22nd, 2016 8:43AM

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

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Be sure to read the North Columbia forecast if you're riding in the Cariboos just west of Hwy 5. Conditions could be quite similar, meaning slightly higher local avalanche danger.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY: Mainly sunny and dry with isolated valley cloud dissipating throughout the day. Freezing levels reaching 1500m and light variable winds. THURSDAY: Mainly sunny and dry with isolated valley cloud dissipating throughout the day. A temperature inversion is expected to result in above freezing temperatures well into alpine elevations Winds should remain generally light from the south.

Avalanche Summary

Reports from Sunday are limited, but include a couple of skier-controlled storm and wind slabs avalanches up to Size 1.5, and numerous natural 15cm deep wind slab avalanches up to Size 2 on leeward and cross-loaded features.

Snowpack Summary

About 40-60 cm of snow fell over the past week. You may find a wind-affected surface in exposed terrain, or a sun crust/moist snow on solar aspects depending on the time of day. Below the storm snow you are likely to find a melt-freeze crust. This crust exists in most places except for higher elevation shaded terrain. In many areas there seems to be a reasonable bond between the crust and the overlying snow. I'd still keep an eye on this interface as it has become reactive on some features. Surface hoar buried in early January now lies up to 180cm below the surface and has become less of a concern. Possible triggers for this deep and destructive layer include a large cornice fall or significant warming from periods of strong solar radiation.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Recent storm snow is sensitive to human triggering and particularly deep and touchy on wind-loaded slopes.

Use ridges or ribs to avoid wind loaded terrain.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Cornices

Large and fragile cornices are will likely continue to fall of ridgecrests with sun exposure and temperature fluctuations. Not only are they a hazard in themselves, but also a heavy trigger for slabs on the slope below.

Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.>Cornices become weak with daytime heating. >

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Feb 23rd, 2016 2:00PM