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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 28th, 2011–Dec 29th, 2011

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Cariboos.

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: 15cm, possibly more in western areas. Moderate to strong west to south-west winds. Freezing level lowering to near valley floor.Thursday: Light snowfall. Light-moderate north-westerlies. Freezing level near valley floor.Friday: Light snow. Light south-west winds. Freezing level around 1000m. Saturday: Light flurries. Cooling temperatures. Light north-westerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 naturally-triggered storm slab was observed on a west aspect at 2400m.

Snowpack Summary

40-80cm of total storm snow has been reported. Rising temperatures during the storm are likely to have helped form slabs within the new snow. Wind slabs exist on slopes lee to the west in the alpine and in open areas at treeline and below. A surface hoar/facet/crust interface is buried anywhere from 80-100cm deep. Avalanche activity on this layer has slowed, but it remains a concern as snow-loading gradually builds this week, particularly on slopes which did not avalanche last week. This layer is still showing easy results in some areas. A low elevation melt-freeze crust buried about half a metre deep is also one to watch. A sun crust is also buried in the alpine on some steep south and west aspects. The mid-pack is generally strong and well settled.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.