Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 4th, 2013–Dec 5th, 2013

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Cariboos.

This forecast is based on limited field observations. If you head into the mountains, please send a note to [email protected] and let us know what you saw.

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.

Avalanche 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