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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 29th, 2020–Jan 30th, 2020

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Cariboos.

Use caution as you transition into wind exposed terrain, recent new snow combined with southwest winds have likely promoted wind slab development at upper elevations.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods / southwest wind, 40-60 km/h / alpine low temperature near -10

THURSDAY - Cloudy with sunny periods and isolated flurries / southwest wind, 30-50 km/h / alpine high temperature near -6 / freezing level 1100 m

FRIDAY - Snow, 20-30 cm / southwest wind, 40-70 km/h / alpine high temperature near -2 / freezing level 1800 m

SATURDAY - Flurries, 5-10 cm / west wind, 30-50 km/h / alpine high temperature near -3 / freezing level 1000 m

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday, there was a report of a size 2.5 persistent slab avalanche on a north aspect at 1900 m in an area southwest of Valemount.

On Saturday there was one notable report of a size 3 persistent slab avalanche southwest of Valemount that was remotely triggered (triggered from a distance) by a group of people.

Over the past week there have been reports of numerous size 1-2.5 storm slab avalanches on all aspects at all elevations. These were mostly natural avalanches, with a few explosives triggered avalanches as well.

Snowpack Summary

The past week has brought around 30-60 cm of new snow to the Cariboos with strong southwest winds and warm temperatures. Wind slabs have likely been forming in lee terrain features.

Recent rain at lower elevations means that the snow surface is likely either moist or wet snow below about 1300 m in many areas.

There is a weak layer of surface hoar now buried 70 to 130 cm. This layer has produced very few recent avalanches in the region, though it could still be triggered in isolated areas.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect and exposure to wind.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.