Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 22nd, 2019 4:35PM

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

swerner, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

At treeline and below a touchy weak layer sits 10-30 cm below the surface. This is easily triggered in areas where that slab has more cohesion. Reactive wind slabs still linger at upper elevations.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

Tuesday Night: Cloudy with new snow 5-10 cm. Ridgetop winds light from the West and alpine temperatures near -5. Freezing levels at valley bottom.Wednesday: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. Ridgetop winds moderate from the West and alpine temperatures near -3. Freezing levels 1200 m. Thursday: Cloudy with isolated flurries. Ridgetop winds moderate from the West and freezing levels near 800 m. Friday: Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop winds light from the southwest and alpine temperatures near -3. Freezing levels rise to 1200 m.

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, we received minimal reports of avalanche activity in the Cariboos. However, loose dry sluffing up to size 1 from steeper terrain was reported and folks are avoiding area's in the alpine which might be subject to wind slabs. Given roughly similar snowpack characteristics of the neighboring North Columbias it is reasonable to expect size 1 to 2 storm slab and wind slab avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

Another 5-10 cm of new snow brings a total of 20-30 cm above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. This slab may show enhanced reactivity between 1500 m-1800 m where the surface hoar is well preserved and on solar aspects which host the buried sun crust. Moderate to strong winds from the southwest have formed new wind slabs on leeward slopes in the alpine. The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.

Problems

Storm Slabs

A reactive weak layer of surface hoar and crusts is lying beneath 10-30 cm of new snow. At higher elevations, the new snow has been blown around into reactive wind slabs found mostly on N-NE aspects.

Be cautious around open terrain features, such as cutblocks, gullies, and cutbanks.Expect to find deeper pockets of wind loaded snow in wind affected terrain.Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking and recent avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2019 2:00PM