Avalanche Forecast

Arctic air continues to maintain cold and clear conditions across the Cariboos.

Monday night: Partly cloudy. No significant precipitation. Light southwest wind at 2000m, moderate northwest upper level winds. Alpine temperatures around -28 C.

Tuesday Partly cloudy with isolated flurries. Light northwest wind becoming moderate in the afternoon. Alpine high -24 C.

Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Moderate northwest wind. Alpine high -25 C.

Thursday: Flurries bringing around 5 cm overnight then clearing. Light to moderate northerly wind. Alpine high of -24 C.

The only report of avalanche activity we have received is of a small natural avalanche cycle up to size 1.5 near Valemount, suspected to have run during the storm last week.

Recent winds from all directions are also expected to have created a wind slab problem on many aspects, sensitive to human triggering. 

If you head into the mountains, please submit your findings and photos to the Mountain Information Network!

25-40cm of low density has accumulated over the past week. Recent winds from all directions have created deeper deposits in wind loaded features at treeline and above. On the western side of the Cariboos, a thin crust sits 5cm deep in the snow snow. This will limit the extent of wind transport possible, but may also create reactivity as winds build slabs above this layer.

The crust formed by the early December rain event sits 60-100cm deep and is found up to 1800m in the southern Cariboos. In most terrain the snow above is well bonded to the crust. In areas where the crust is buried deeper than one meter, it has begun to decompose and show limited reactivity. The most recent reactivity was located in treeline terrain west of Blue River, use extra caution around large, unsupported slopes at treeline in this area.

• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
• Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.