Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 28th, 2015–Dec 29th, 2015

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Cariboos.

Recent winds have been variable across the region. Pay extra attention in areas showing signs of wind effect e.g. cornices, 'fat' looking slopes, or hollow sounds.

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

A cool, dry spell is starting. Expect light northerly winds, a mix of sun and cloud and cool temperatures for the foreseeable future.For more details check out https://avalanche.ca/weather.

Avalanche Summary

Apart from loose sluff and whumpfing, no avalanches have been reported recently.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slabs may be found on any recently wind-affected terrain, especially at alpine and treeline elevations. Whumpfing was observed on Cariboo Mountain yesterday. A couple of storm snow interfaces were also reactive to tests in the upper snowpack. See the great MIN post (blue dot on the map) for more detail. In some sheltered areas, 10-20 cm light dry snow has buried large surface hoar crystals. 20-30 cm settled, dried-out powder lies below this. The mid- and lower snowpack are reportedly well settled. The early December weak layer (about a metre down) is now hard to find and unlikely to be triggered, except with a very heavy trigger. At the base of the snowpack, on high north aspects, basal facets overlie glacial ice.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent winds have shifted snow into slabs behind ridges and ribs. These could be triggered by the weight of a person.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain. >Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow. >

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3