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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 19th, 2012–Dec 20th, 2012

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Cariboos.

Confidence

Fair - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night:  Strong to Extreme SW winds at ridgetop.Thursday: Strong to Extreme SW winds at ridgetop.  1500m temp -10. Light to moderate snowfall resulting in 5 - 15 cm of snow.Friday: Light to Moderate SW winds at ridgetop.  1500m temp -15.  Clearing skies.Saturday:  Variable southerly winds at ridgetop.  1500m temp -15. Occasional flurries.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations.  Observations are welcome, please email us: [email protected]

Snowpack Summary

The upper snowpack comprises deep amounts of unconsolidated snow in sheltered locations, and soft slabs in open, exposed locations. These slabs are most likely immediately behind ridge crests and downslope ribs. There's ample recent snow available to fuel slab development if winds pick up. Overall, the top and mid-snowpack is reported to be settling well. Persistent and Deep persistent instabilities (surface hoar and an early November crust, respectively) located in the middle and near the bottom of the snowpack may still be a concern but there's little recent evidence of them. It is important to know that we have very limited observations for this region. Digging down and making your own observations, especially in thinner snowpack areas, remains a good idea to assist safe slope selection. You're looking for weak layers that pop or drop in stability tests.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.