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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 11th, 2012–Dec 12th, 2012

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

Regions

Cariboos.

Confidence

Fair

Weather Forecast

A weak ridge moving over the region should bring lighter precipitations for Wednesday and then partial clearing. The next system is weaker and should reach the region Thursday and deliver some light precipitations and stronger Southwesterly winds for the rest of the period. Cool temperatures (-12 C) and lighter winds are expected for Friday.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported for this region. However, I suspect that there has been some recent natural activity with the new load and winds on lee slopes. 

Snowpack Summary

30-40 cm of fresh snow in the past couple days and the moderate to strong winds from the Northwest and Southwest has created the windslab problem on lee slopes in the alpine and treeline. This new snow could also be burying older and deeper windslabs in the alpine. Sluffing is still an issue on steep features protected from the wind below treeline. Below treeline, also watch for early season obstacles, such as stumps and creeks.  The deep persistent instabilities (surface hoar and early November crust) located in the middle and near the bottom of the snowpack are still a concern in this region, however, we haven't had report of their sensitivity or reactiveness. Digging down and making your own observations will be critical to safe slope selection. Any observations from the field are welcome at [email protected].

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.