Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 23rd, 2016 7:54AM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Storm Slabs.

pmarshall, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

A Special Public Avalanche Warning continues for this region. Conservative route selection and cautious decision-making is required.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Due to the number of field observations

Weather Forecast

Synopsis: A ridge of high pressure should maintain dry conditions for the next couple days. Expect a mix of sun and cloud with the freezing level at valley bottom. Ridge winds are generally light. A weak system on Tuesday could bring more cloud, light snow, and rising freezing levels.

Avalanche Summary

On Friday, a large natural avalanche cycle to size 3.5 was reported by one operator near Valemount. Another observer just NW of Blue River reported an impressive natural avalanche cycle at and below treeline with numerous slabs up to 60 cm deep. The story may have been the same for other parts of the region.

Snowpack Summary

Heavy new snow and strong winds have created storm slabs in many places and wind slabs on features lee to the south. This will also add load and stress to the already volatile persistent slab. There are a couple of highly reactive layers of surface hoar buried in the upper snowpack, which have been responsible for recent avalanches. The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong, with any weak layers considered dormant for now. Snowpack depths are variable and shallow snowpack areas may have weak facetted crystals near the ground.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Large avalanches have been failing on buried persistent weak layers throughout the week. This problem will probably remain sensitive to human triggers for the next while.

Use conservative route selection and be aware of the potential for remote triggering. >Extra caution required in open terrain features at and below treeline.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 5

Storm Slabs

The recent storm has created storm slabs in many areas, and wind slabs on exposed northerly slopes. These could be triggered by the weight of a person or sled.

Travel on ridgetops to avoid wind slabs on slopes below.>Avoid lee and cross-loaded terrain near ridge crests.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 5

Valid until: Jan 24th, 2016 2:00PM