Avalanche forecast

Cariboos

Dec 20 – 21, 2013Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–3
    Moderate winds continue to redistribute storm snow and create fresh wind slabs. These wind slabs may still be sensitive to human triggering. Watch for these wind slabs in open terrain at and above treeline.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    3–5
    A buried persistent weak layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or a crust is buried by 40-70 cm of storm snow and may be susceptible to human triggering. Wind slab avalanches may step down and trigger larger persistent slab avalanches.

Confidence

Fair - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: The pattern remains firmly NW and as a result the coast mountains get the bulk of the action but there should still be a little precip left over for Cariboo for the period. Freezing levels should climb to 1200m by Monday.Saturday: Freezing Level: Valley Bottom; Precip: Nil Wind: Lht NWSunday: Freezing Level: Valley Bottom Precip: 2/4mm 4/8cm Wind: Light gusting strong S Snow picking up in intensity Sunday evening into Monday.Sunday evening: Precip: 8/10mm 16/20cmMonday: Freezing Level: 1200m Precip: Nil Wind: Mod gusting Strong, W

Avalanche Summary

A few natural size 2 avalanches were observed Friday on a north facing slope with a shallow snowpack.

Snowpack Summary

Snowpack depths vary widely with reports of up to 180cm at tree line in some parts of the region. The upper snowpack contains storm snow, wind slabs, surface hoar, and facets. Previously warm temps and as much as 70cm of new snow have combined to form a cohesive slab on top of the surface hoar and facets. It's difficult to determine if the slab is currently reactive to light triggers like skiers and sledders. Deeper in the mid-pack a couple of persistent weak layers (surface hoar and facets) can be found that formed in mid and late November. Near the base of the snowpack an early season rain crust exists.

Regions covered