Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Dec 9th, 2012 9:22AM

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

mbender, Avalanche Canada

Cariboos.

Summary

Confidence

Poor - Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather is uncertain for the entire period

Weather Forecast

Monday: A warm front is expected to give a rise in freezing levels to 800m. Light to moderate precipitation throughout the day and into the night along with moderate to strong northwesterly winds. Alpine temperatures -9.Tuesday: Moderate precipitation. Alpine temperatures -8 with a freezing level at 900m. Moderate southwesterly winds.Wednesday: Broken skies, light flurries, winds light from the northwest and alpine temperatures -10.

Avalanche Summary

There are limited recent observations from this region.

Snowpack Summary

The most recent storm is settling and being redistributed by the wind. A buried surface hoar layer, down about 120 cm, and the early November rain crust (facet-crust combo), over 150cm down in some locations, remain a concern for isolated deep slab avalanches.Average snow depths at treeline seem to be between 160 and 200cm. Elevations below 1500m are still reported as below threshold.In general, snowpack information is sparse in this region and significant variations likely exist from one drainage to another. Digging down and making your own observations will be critical to safe slope selection. Any observations from the field are welcome at forecaster@avalanche.ca.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Expect to find buried and newly formed windslabs in exposed lee slopes and cross-loaded gullies well below ridge crests.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 4

Deep Persistent Slabs

Although the likelihood of a release is low, the consequence of a deep persistent slab release is very high. These layers may wake-up with additional loading.

Be aware of thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilites.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

3 - 6

Valid until: Dec 10th, 2012 2:00PM