Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 7th, 2019 4:17PM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

There is potential for triggering large avalanches treeline and below due to the presence of a persistent slab problem. Click here to see our Forecasters' Blog for a more detailed description of current conditions.

Summary

Confidence

High - The weather pattern is stable

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY - Mix of sun and cloud / moderate northeast wind / alpine temperature -18SATURDAY - Mainly sunny / moderate east wind / alpine high temperature near -20SUNDAY - Mix of sun and cloud / moderate northeast wind / alpine temperature -15

Avalanche Summary

A persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January continues to be reactive to human triggers. This layer is sensitive enough for avalanches to be triggered remotely (from a distance). Human triggered avalanches up to size 2.5 were reported on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. This layer has been the most reactive at treeline and below, although there have been a few reports of its presence in isolated sheltered areas in the alpine. Click here to see Mountain Information Network post that described conditions in Allen Creek on Wednesday.Several windslab avalanches to size 1.5 have been reported running on a variety of aspects in the alpine on Wednesday.

Snowpack Summary

30-60 cm of recent new snow is sitting on surface hoar (feathery crystals), facets (sugary snow) and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. In many areas, recent strong winds have redistributed the new snow and formed wind slabs on all aspects due to shifting wind directions.The most notable feature in the snowpack at this time is a persistent weak layer that was buried in mid January, which is now buried 50-80 cm. This layer consists of surface hoar and a crust on sun-exposed slopes. It is most prominent at treeline and below, and continues to produce avalanches.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

50-80 cm of snow sits above a weak layer of surface hoar and crust that was buried in mid January. This layer continues to be reactive to human triggering.

Any steep opening in the trees should be treated as suspect right now.Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Wind Slabs

Shifting winds have created windslabs in the lee of terrain features on a variety of aspects.

If triggered, wind slabs may step down to deeper layers and result in even larger avalanches.Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 8th, 2019 2:00PM