Avalanche forecast

Cariboos

Jan 24 – 25, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Be cautious in areas that look wind loaded, pillowed, or extra thick.

Continued snow and wind have made wind slabs in the alpine and treeline.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Moderate southwest winds have continued in the alpine and upper treeline forming windslabs on north and east aspects.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, a remote and a rider triggered avalanche were reported in the Quesnel area, both were size 2 and were new snow sliding on facets.

On Sunday, a small (size 1) storm slab avalanche was reported around the Barkerville area. There was another report of a small (size 1) reactive storm slab avalanche around Wells on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of new snow is now resting on a previous 10 cm that was redistributed by strong northeast wind. This upper 30 cm of recent snow may bond poorly to underlying layers of surface hoar, faceted snow, and wind-pressed snow.

A thin breakable crust has been reported on the surface at lower elevations in the Sugarbowl area.

A prominent crust is found 30 to 50 cm deep. It extends up to 1900 m in the Cariboos and up to 1400 m around Pine Pass. In the Sugarbowl and Quesnel / Williams Lake areas, a layer of small surface hoar or facets has been observed near the crust.

The midpack is reportedly strong and bonded.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, west alpine wind 30-50 km/h, treeline temperature -3 °C, except around Wells/ Barkerville with freezing levels up to 1700 m.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud with flurries, southwest alpine wind 30-40 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C, except around Wells/ Barkerville with freezing levels up to 1600 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm snow, southwest alpine wind 20-50 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C, except around Wells/ Barkerville with freezing levels up to 1600 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of snow, southwest alpine wind 20-40 km/h, treeline temperature -1 °C, except around Wells/ Barkerville with freezing levels up to 1600 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.

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