Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 21st, 2019 5:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada dboucher, Avalanche Canada

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Cariboos.

Tune in to the character of our newest layer of snow as you travel. Areas with thicker slabs are more likely to be reactive.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Wednesday

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, snow accumulation of 1 to 3 cm, moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -10 C, freezing level at valley bottom.TUESDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, snow accumulation around 5 cm, moderate southwest winds, alpine temperature -6 C, freezing level at 800 m.WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, snow accumulation of 1 to 3 cm, light to moderate winds from northwest, alpine temperature -5 C, freezing level at 1100 m.THURSDAY: Cloudy with isolated flurries, moderate winds from west, alpine temperature -3 C, freezing level at 900 m.

Avalanche Summary

We have had minimal reports of avalanche activity in the Cariboos.  However, given roughly similar snowpack characteristics of the neighboring North Columbias, it is reasonable to expect size 1 to 2 storm slab and wind slab avalanches

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of new snow from the weekend continues to settle above a layer of large surface hoar crystals and sun crusts. At higher elevations, strong southerly winds during and immediately after the storm have moved the snow and formed deeper deposits on lee slopes. New snow deposits that overlie sun crust on steep, south-facing slopes may be especially touchy.At lower elevations, the new snow has been settling into a thin but reactive slabs. Reactivity is most notable at elevations between about 1500-1800 metres, where surface hoar was particularly well-developed. The middle and lower portions of the snowpack are generally well-settled and strong.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs
A reactive weak layer of surface hoar and crusts is lying beneath 10-20 cm of new snow.  At higher elevations, the new snow has been blown around into reactive slabs.
Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, cracking and recent avalanches.Expect to find deeper pockets of wind loaded snow in wind affected terrain.Be cautious around open terrain features, such as cutblocks, gullies, and cutbanks.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2019 2:00PM

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