Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 3rd, 2013–Feb 4th, 2013

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Cariboos.

Confidence

Fair - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Tuesday

Weather Forecast

Overnight and Monday: Strong Westerly winds and 3-5 cms of snow and alpine temperatures down to -8.0. A few cms during the day with gusty Northwest winds and freezing levels remaining at valley bottoms.Tuesday: A warm pulse of moisture is expected to bring 5-10 cms to elevations above 1000 metres and moderate Southerly winds.Wednesday: Light to moderate Southwest winds with alpine temperatures dropping to -10.0

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported. Aggressive slope testing in the Allen Creek area produced no results on steep wind loaded slopes.

Snowpack Summary

The storm snow has settled into a dense slab that can be triggered by skiers or sledders that is propagating up to size 2.0 avalanches. There has been a lot of wind transport and wind slab formation in the alpine. Professionals are finding the early January surface hoar layer to be well preserved in more locations below 2000 metres than had been suspected.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.