Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 9th, 2015 7:45AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.

ccampbell, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Diligence may be required to maintain conservative decisions when seeking decent riding conditions over the weekend.

Summary

Confidence

Good

Weather Forecast

The forecast period is looking mostly cloudy with a chance of light flurries especially on Saturday. Freezing levels remaining in valley bottoms for the forecast period, with no more warm air expected at higher elevations. Winds should remain generally light and variable.

Avalanche Summary

Recent reports include numerous small natural loose snow and thin storm slab avalanches on steep sun-exposed slopes, as well as a small skier controlled slabs on a north aspect. One Size 2 80 cm deep persistent slab avalanche was accidentally triggered by a goat on a steep south aspect in the alpine... not sure if he got out...

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow has been redistributed into thick wind slab on lee slopes at treeline and alpine elevations from moderate to strong westerly winds. Warm alpine temperatures have moistened the surface snow with a breakable surface crust forming on steep sun-exposed slopes. The mid-December surface hoar/crust persistent weak layer down 50-90 cm is still producing easy to moderate sudden planar test results at treeline elevations and below. Recent reports of whumpfing and the general nature of this weakness suggest it is susceptible to remote triggering and widespread propagation.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Touchy wind slabs are lurking below ridge crests and behind terrain features.

Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

A persistent weakness buried mid-December is primed for human triggers and wide propagations producing very large avalanches. Remote triggering from flat terrain and step-down from shallower weaknesses makes this problem especially tricky to manage.

Stick to small features with limited consequence and be aware of what is above you at all times.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Jan 10th, 2015 2:00PM