Avalanche forecast

Cariboos

Jan 9 – 10, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Archived · expired 14 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Conditions are variable across the region.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–6
     Strong winds have shifted snow into wind slabs which could fail naturally, or with the additional weight of a person or snowmobile.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–5
    Storm snow has a weak interface with the old snow surface. This will take some time to settle and bond, even after the weather improves.  

Avalanche Summary

A natural cycle of size 1-1.5 storm slabs was observed on Monday and Tuesday. Skiers also triggered small avalanches, failing on buried surface hoar or facets. I expect a more widespread avalanche cycle occurred on Wednesday.

Confidence

Fair - Due to variable snowpack conditions

Weather Forecast

Thursday: Light N wind. Alpine temperature near -11. No precipitation.Friday: Light NW wind. Alpine temperature near -13. No precipitation.Saturday:Light W wind. Alpine temperature near -16. Light snow.

Snowpack Summary

New snow has developed into slabs, with a weak bond to old snow surfaces including surface hoar (found at and below treeline) and facets. Variable amounts of snow (25-90 cm) have fallen across the region, meaning the avalanche danger is likely to be different from place to place. In heaviest-affected areas, there is the potential for deep and destructive storm snow avalanches. Strong winds have left widespread wind slabs in the lee of terrain breaks such as ridges and ribs. In areas sheltered from the wind, fast-moving sluff could throw you off your feet or carry you into a terrain trap. A strong mid-pack overlies a weak facet/crust layer near the base of the snowpack.

Regions covered