Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 5th, 2012 9:21AM

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

pgoddard, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Summary

Confidence

-1 - -1

Weather Forecast

Monday-Wednesday: Dry weather. Freezing level dropping to valley floor at nights and rising to around 1000m during the day. Light winds.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous loose snow avalanches and a few slabs were triggered by warming and solar radiation on Friday. In some cases, icefall or cornice fall was the trigger. No avalanches were reported on Saturday.

Snowpack Summary

Very warm alpine temperatures melted the surface layers on Friday. In areas which had an overnight freeze, a sun crust now exists to ridge top on solar aspects. The mid-January facet layer down 80-150cm seems to be particularly touchy below 1500m where it is shallower and sits on a crust. Wind slabs and large fragile cornices exist in lee and cross-loaded terrain.Total snowpack depths are well above average or even at new record depths for this time of year.

Problems

Cornices

Large cornices are looming over many slopes. They are weakest when it's warm and sunny. A falling chunk could trigger an avalanche on the slope below, potentially releasing a deep weak layer.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 7

Wind Slabs

Be alert for wind slabs behind ridges and terrain breaks.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Loose Wet

Direct sun and warming can trigger loose avalanches, especially in steep south-facing terrain.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Valid until: Feb 6th, 2012 3:00AM