Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 25th, 2019 3:00PM

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

jfloyer, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

A small amount of fresh snow and warming temperatures will increase avalanche danger on Saturday.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Freezing levels are uncertain

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Light snow possible, 5-10 cm. Expected to stay cool overnight.SATURDAY: Dry. Temperatures warming gradually with a weak above-freezing level layer developing from approximately 1900-2200 m. Winds light northwesterly.SUNDAY: Light snow or rain (6-8 cm at higher elevations). Cooling rapidly through the day. Strong westerly winds.MONDAY: Dry. Freezing level at valley bottom. Light westerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

A few natural wind slabs, storm slabs and dry loose avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on Wednesday and Thursday on steep slopes on a variety of aspects at treeline and alpine elevations.

Snowpack Summary

15-30 cm of snow sits above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crust. In areas that have had wind effect the recent snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slab above this weak layer, with enhanced reactivity noted at elevations between 1500-1800 metres. In sheltered areas the snow is faceting and lacks cohesion above this layer which is only reactive as dry loose sluffing. Warmer temperatures are starting to consolidate the upper snowpack are will likely make slab avalanches more triggerable.Moderate to strong winds associated with the new snow formed reactive wind slabs on leeward slopes at upper elevations. The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

15-30 cm of snow sits above a weak interface that comprises of surface hoar and sun crust. Where the snow has formed a cohesive slab, such as in windy areas, it is reactive to human triggering, especially between 1500m-1800m.

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.Be cautious around open terrain features, such as cutblocks, gullies, and cutbanks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Wind Slabs

The new snow is likely to set up touchy wind slabs on lee (downwind) slopes.

Be aware of the potential for wide propagations due to a reactive weak layer under fresh wind slabs.

Aspects: North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 26th, 2019 2:00PM