Avalanche Forecast
Cariboos
Reactive new storm slabs have formed on an unstable snowpack capable of producing very large avalanches.
A Special Avalanche Warning is in effect in this region. Copy this address to view details: http://bit.ly/2nSOUyX
Avalanche Problem 1: Storm Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- If triggered, storm slabs may step down to deeper layers and result in very large avalanches.
- Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
- Avoid exposure to sun-exposed slopes.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Several unstable weak layers are lurking deep in our snowpack. These layers have the potential to be triggered both naturally and with skier or rider traffic. When triggered, these layers have been producing very large avalanches that can run far.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid the runout zones of avalanche paths. Avalanches could run full path.
- Use conservative route selection. Choose low-angle, supported terrain with low consequence.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed on Tuesday or Wednesday, however stormy weather is certain to have obscured visibility.
Monday's observations showed further evidence of a natural avalanche cycle from Friday to Sunday. Many slabs were observed, which were expected to have released during the storm. This includes many wind, storm, and persistent slab avalanches, from small to very large (size 1 to 3). The slabs were 30 to 200 cm deep, on all aspects, and most often at upper below treeline, treeline and alpine elevations. Many of the releases propagated far and were highly destructive, such as this one, highlighting the consequences if an avalanche is triggered.
Looking forward, dangerous snowpack conditions will persist on Friday as . This trend will likely continue until a more stable weather pattern governs and we see a decrease in avalanche observations. All of our buried weak layers (described in the section below) continue to produce large destructive avalanches from natural and human triggers. Storm and wind slabs have the potential to step down to deeper weak layers, which could produce very large avalanches with high consequences.
Snowpack Summary
Around 30-40 cm of new snow fell during Wednesday's storm. This adds to 50-100 cm of storm snow from the past two weeks that has formed a slab over an unstable snowpack. There are four active weak layers that we are monitoring:
1) Around 80 to 140 cm deep, you'll find a layer of crust and/or surface hoar that was buried in mid-January. The surface hoar is found at all elevation bands, and has been especially reactive on north through east aspects between 1900-2600 m.
2) Deeper in the snowpack, the early-January surface hoar layer is found 90 to 160 cm below the surface.
3) Another weak layer buried mid-December consists of a facet/surface hoar/crust combination, which is 120 to 200 cm deep. It has been most problematic at and below tree line.
4) A crust/facet layer from late November is yet another weak layer lingering near the base of the snowpack.
Each of the above layers have maintained a trend of producing notable avalanche activity and concerning snowpack test results for the past couple of weeks. The wide distribution and ongoing reactivity of these layers suggests that choosing simple terrain is the best avoidance strategy.
Weather Forecast
Friday: Mainly sunny. Light north winds. Alpine high temperatures of -11 with a temperature inversion building over the day.
Saturday: Mainly sunny. Light west winds. Alpine high temperatures around -8 with cooler temperatures at lower elevations due to a temperature inversion.
Sunday: Mainly sunny. Light northwest winds. Alpine high temperatures back to around -11 as the temperature inversion breaks down overnight.
Avalanche Forecasts in your Inbox
Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.
What are RSS feeds?
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a popular standardized file format allowing up-to-date delivery of web-based content. RSS feeds enable you to receive content updates from websites, delivered to your email through an RSS aggregator (such as blogtrottr.com) or viewed through applications called RSS readers (such as feedly.com).
Set up an RSS feed for your email:
Select a RSS aggregator
- Cariboos URL:
http://www.avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/cariboos.rss - Copy the url and paste it into the appropriate field of your RSS aggregator.
- Fill in your email address.
- Voila! Watch the Avalanche Canada forecast roll into your inbox.
Forecast Disclaimer
Avalanche Canada's Public Avalanche Bulletin, and other information and services provided by Avalanche Canada, are intended for personal and recreational purposes only.
**THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES RESULTING FROM DISCOMFORT, INJURY, OR DEATH, CLAIMS BY THIRD PARTIES OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR COSTS, OR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE INFORMATION.**
The user acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately predict natural events such as avalanches in every instance, and uses the data in this bulletin with this always foremost in mind. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and the Providers disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use the data.
Heavy snowfall and steady winds have formed thick new storm slabs on the surface. As the new snow consolidates, potential for human triggering storm slabs will increase. Strong solar effect may act as a trigger for natural avalanches on Friday.