Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 4th, 2013 8:45AM

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.

This forecast is based on limited field observations. If you head into the mountains, please send a note to forecaster@avalanche.ca and let us know what you saw.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Thursday through Saturday: Sunny and cold. Treeline temperatures are around -20 to -25 with moderate northeasterly winds.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported but incoming field data is still very limited. Several areas to the south in the Monashees have reported a number of natural and rider triggered avalanches up to Size 3 in the past couple days.

Snowpack Summary

30-50 cm of recent storm snow overlies a variety of old snow surfaces including surface hoar in sheltered areas and/or sun crust on steep south facing slopes. There are two distinct weaknesses within the mid and lower snowpack: the early November surface hoar is down roughly half way (50-60cm) and the October rain crust is near the ground. While these layers have recently become dormant, any additional load from new snow, wind-loading and/or rain may cause these layers to reactivate in isolated areas causing large, destructive avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Outflow winds are reverse-loading and cross-loading exposed slopes. Fresh and touchy wind slabs are likely lurking below ridge crests and behind terrain features.

Avoid travelling in areas that have been reverse loaded by winds.>Avoid freshly wind loaded features.>

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Persistent Slabs

Light loads such as skiers or sledders could trigger large avalanches associated with persistent weaknesses on sheltered slopes.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.>Avoid convexities or areas with a thin or variable snowpack.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 5

Valid until: Dec 5th, 2013 2:00PM