Avalanche Forecast
Cariboos
Expect the recent storm slab to become more reactive as it continues to settle and consolidate.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.
Avalanche Problem 2: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
This storm slab may be sitting on a buried weak layer of feathery surface hoar crystals, especially in sheltered areas between 1600 and 2000m along with sheltered northerly aspects in the alpine. Expect it become more reactive as it settles.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Buried surface hoar may be preserved on open slopes and convex rolls at and below tree line
- Watch for whumpfing, shooting cracks, or signs of recent natural avalanches.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural loose dry avalanches to size 1.5 have been reported running in steep terrain. These have been running in the recently fallen new snow. That being said, as this recent new snow sitting on top of a variety of weak layers starts to settle, expect avalanche activity to increase. If you have any observations, please submit them to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
20-40cm of new snow accumulating through last weekend sits on a wide variety of old surfaces including large surface hoar (weak, feather-like crystals), hard crusts formed by sun or wind, and sugary facets. As the snow load builds and slab properties develop, it will be important to monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surfaces. Most concerning would be areas that have seen previous surface hoar development, such as sheltered areas at and below tree line and sheltered northerly aspects in the alpine. Additionally, any steep solar aspects where the surface hoar may be sitting on sun crust should be considered areas where this weak layer may be likely to trigger.
A crust which was formed by rain in late November is a major feature in the snowpack and is down approximately 60-80cm at tree line elevations. Snowpack tests suggest the snow above is currently bonding well to it.
Snowpack depth decreases rapidly below tree line. Look out for early season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks.
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: Mainly cloudy with flurries, accumulation 5cm / wind light north / alpine temperature -11
FRIDAY: Mainly sunny / wind moderate north / alpine temperature -17
SATURDAY: Mainly sunny / wind moderate northwest / alpine temperature -11
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Recent west and northwest winds switching to north and northeast have formed windslabs in the lee of terrain features on a variety of aspects.