Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 6th, 2017 4:25PM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Seek the shade for the best riding and least sun-baked snow.

Summary

Confidence

Low - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY: Sunny with valley cloud. Light wind. Freezing level near 3100 m with a colder air layer in the valleys. FRIDAY: Sunny with valley cloud. Light wind. Freezing level near 3000 m with a colder air layer in the valleys. SATURDAY: Cloudy, with a few flurries possible. Moderate south-west winds. Freezing level near 2000 m. More details can be found on the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported. Last weekend, small loose dry avalanches were reported in steep terrain around Valemount and Blue River, but no human-triggered avalanches were reported. Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Intense warming is melting upper snowpack layers, particularly on steep sunny slopes. Warming also has the potential to wake up more deeply buried weak layers which formed during November's rainfall. We have limited information about the nature of these buried crusts. Below treeline, the snowpack is shallow--look out for early season hazards like open creeks and tree stumps.

Problems

Loose Wet

Intense warmth at alpine elevations is expected to trigger avalanches on steep, sunny slopes. You may also be able to trigger a recently formed wind slab in specific, wind-loaded terrain.

Choose well supported terrain without convexities.Minimize exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Intense warming could wake up deeply buried weak layers. Limited field information is increasing our uncertainty, so a conservative approach makes sense.

Choose conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.Use extra caution on slopes if the snow is moist or wet.Minimize exposure to steep slopes on warm or sunny days.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Dec 7th, 2017 2:00PM