Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 25th, 2011 8:20AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Summary

Confidence

Fair - Intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Monday: Light snow. Freezing level near valley bottom. Moderate southerly winds. Tuesday:5-10cm snow. Freezing level near 1000m, rising late in the day. Strong westerly winds. Wednesday: 15-20cm with the freezing level rising to 1800m. Strong westerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

The recent storm snow seems to be settling and strengthening. Any loose available snow continues to be redistributed by southwest winds. Wind slabs with the potential to propagate widely exist in the alpine, particularly on north through east aspects. At treeline and below, pockets of wind slab also exist in open areas. A surface hoar/facet/crust interface is buried anywhere from 30- 80cm deep. Avalanche activity on this layer has slowed, but it remains a concern as snow-loading gradually builds this week. Sudden ('pops') type results were observed on this layer earlier in the week.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

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs exist on lee and cross-loaded features and are expected to build further over the next few days.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

A cohesive slab overlies the early December buried surface hoar/facet interface. Activity on this layer has slowed, but it could reawaken with new snow loading.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Dec 26th, 2011 8:00AM