Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 1st, 2019 5:10PM

The alpine rating is high, the treeline rating is high, and the below treeline rating is high. Known problems include Storm Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

kdevine, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Rapid loading from heavy snowfall and wind is the perfect recipe for avalanches. Avoid avalanche terrain.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT - Flurries, 5-10 cm / southwest winds, 30-50 km/h / alpine low temperature near -12SATURDAY - Flurries ending in the morning and then a mix of sun and cloud / west winds 20-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -14SUNDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / northeast winds 10-15 km/h / alpine high temperature near -20MONDAY - Sunny with cloudy periods / northeast winds, 10-15 km/h / alpine high temperature near -16

Avalanche Summary

Field observations were limited on Friday, but it is very likely that a natural avalanche cycle was occurring throughout the day.

Snowpack Summary

30-45 cm of snow has fallen in the Cariboos since Thursday, with some areas seeing as much as 60 cm. This new snow is sitting on wind slab, surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. 40-60 cm of snow now sits on a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January. This layer consists of surface hoar and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. It is most prominent at treeline and below, and it will likely be reactive due to the recent heavy snowfall.

Problems

Storm Slabs

30-45 cm of snow has fallen since Thursday. It will take some time for this new snow to bond to the underlying snow.

If triggered, storm slabs may step down to deeper layers and result in even larger avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

40-60 cm of snow sits above a weak layer of surface hoar and crust. This layer is likely to become reactive due to recent heavy snowfall.

Be cautious at and below treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Valid until: Feb 2nd, 2019 2:00PM