Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 12th, 2012 8:57AM

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

jlammers, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain on Saturday

Weather Forecast

Friday: light snowfall / moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 400mSaturday: 5-10cm of snow / moderate southwest winds / Freezing level at 500mSunday: Trace amounts of snowfall / Light westerly winds / -12.0 @ 1500m

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches to report from the last 24 hours.

Snowpack Summary

3 days ago very strong southwest winds transported the storm snow into windslabs in the alpine and at treeline. There is a new rain crust below 1500 metres and an old rain crust that is buried down about a metre below the 1600 metre elevation. The mid-pack is reported to be strong, and I have not heard anyone talk about early season layers deep in the snowpack. That being said, there is still a lot of variation due to the strong winds that have accompanied most storms this winter in the region. I would continue to be suspect of thin snowpack areas.

Problems

Wind Slabs

The recent storm snow has been transported into windslabs by strong southwest winds. The slab will have strengthened somewhat; however, triggering is still possible. More recent northerly winds will have created a wind effect on a variety of aspects.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Cornices

Warm temperatures and strong winds have caused rapid cornice growth which may not be well supported. Try to reduce your exposure beneath these large unstable masses of heavy snow.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

3 - 5

Valid until: Jan 13th, 2012 8:00AM