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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 23rd, 2012–Dec 24th, 2012

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Cariboos.

The lower danger rating in the alpine does not mean it's open season on the bigger alpine features.  Stay cautious in your approach to the mountains this week.

Confidence

Poor - Due to limited field observations

Weather Forecast

Monday: Light ridgetop winds out of the E. No Snow. 1500m temp: -15 Freezing level: SurfaceTuesday: Light SE ridge top winds. 1500m temp -13 No snow. Freezing Level: SurfaceWednesday: Light SW ridge top winds. Treeline temp -13. No snow. Freezing Level: Surface

Avalanche Summary

One natural avalanche reported in Miledge Creek.  Size 2 Natural on a N-NE aspect. Observations for the region are sparse.  Please send your observations to: [email protected]

Snowpack Summary

20 - 30 cm of low density storm snow rests on a supportive midpack.  Unlike the neighboring regions, operators in the North Columbia are reporting minimal wind effect. Persistent and Deep persistent instabilities (surface hoar and an early November crust, respectively) located in the middle and near the bottom of the snowpack may still be a concern but there's little recent evidence of them. It is important to know that we have very limited observations for this region. Digging down and making your own observations, especially in thinner snowpack areas, remains a good idea to assist safe slope selection. You're looking for weak layers that pop or drop in stability tests.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.