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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 9th, 2012–Dec 10th, 2012

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

Regions

Cariboos.

Confidence

Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Monday: A warm front is expected to give a rise in freezing levels to 800m. Light to moderate precipitation throughout the day and into the night along with moderate to strong northwesterly winds. Alpine temperatures -9.Tuesday: Moderate precipitation. Alpine temperatures -8 with a freezing level at 900m. Moderate southwesterly winds.Wednesday: Broken skies, light flurries, winds light from the northwest and alpine temperatures -10.

Avalanche Summary

There are limited recent observations from this region.

Snowpack Summary

The most recent storm is settling and being redistributed by the wind. A buried surface hoar layer, down about 120 cm, and the early November rain crust (facet-crust combo), over 150cm down in some locations, remain a concern for isolated deep slab avalanches.Average snow depths at treeline seem to be between 160 and 200cm. Elevations below 1500m are still reported as below threshold.In general, snowpack information is sparse in this region and significant variations likely exist from one drainage to another. Digging down and making your own observations will be critical to safe slope selection. Any observations from the field are welcome at [email protected].

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.