Avalanche forecast

Cariboos

Nov 27 – 28, 2012Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–5
    There is a variable crust that exists in the lower snowpack. Watch for triggering on unsupported terrain at higher elevations or within start zones with smooth ground cover.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–4
    Storm/wind slabs formed last week have gained significant strength, although triggering may still occur on steep, unsupported terrain. Forecast winds may also form new windslabs.

Confidence

Fair - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain

Weather Forecast

Wednesday will see mostly cloudy skies with snowfall developing late in the day. Moderate snowfall will continue throughout Thursday and Friday. Winds will be moderate to strong from the west on Wednesday switching to strong and southwesterly for Thursday and Friday. Freezing levels should remain at about 1200m for the forecast period.

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 sled-triggered slab avalanche occurred on Sunday in the Yanks Peak area. It was on a northwest aspect at 1900m. For more details, check-out our Incident Data Base.

Snowpack Summary

Healthy amounts of snow fell throughout last week. Although alpine wind data has been sparse, velocities in neighboring regions were in the upper end of moderate during the storms. That said, I'd be highly curious about the possibility of windslabs in exposed areas. Although storm slab reactivity is still possible, a break in the snowfall over the last few days has most likely given the upper snowpack a chance to settle and gain some strength. There may be a thin buried surface hoar layer down about 85 cm in the alpine. As well, the November rain crust now exists over 100cm down in some locations and may exist in combination with facets. This layer has shown sudden planar test results.A you're traveling through the mountains, be on the look-out for current surface hoar development and think about how it will affect the snowpack as new snow arrives over the next few days.

Regions covered