Avalanche Forecast
Cariboos
The forecast calls for a dusting of low density new snow throughout the day Thursday.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid pockets of wind loaded snow.
- Be aware of recent variable wind loading patterns.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
A weak layer of surface hoar buried 20-40 cm deep has potential to be reactive where the overlying snow has settled into a cohesive slab.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Watch for signs of slab formation at lower elevations, such as whumphing or shooting cracks.
- Buried surface hoar is more likely to be preserved in sheltered openings at and below tree line.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported in the region. In addition to lingering wind slabs at higher elevations, persistent slab avalanche danger remains a concern in areas where the last week's storm snow has consolidated into a slab above the December 15 interface.
Please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Last week's storm brought 20-40cm of new snow to the region. Predominantly northwest winds since the storm redistributed loose snow at the surface into wind slabs on a variety of aspects at higher elevations while cold temperatures inhibited slab formation elsewhere. The cold has also worked to break down the cohesion and reactivity of older wind slabs. The storm snow lies over a variety of old surfaces, including large surface hoar (weak, feather-like crystals), crusts formed by sun or wind, and sugary facets. The bond at this old snow interface is of the greatest importance in areas where the overlying snow has consolidated into a slab. The most concerning areas areas are those that saw pronounced surface hoar development in advance of the storm, such as sheltered areas at and below tree line.
A crust which was formed by rain in late November is another major feature in the snowpack and is down approximately 70-100cm at tree line elevations. This interface has shown some signs of reactivity limited to steep, variably loaded alpine features in adjacent regions.
Weather Forecast
THURSDAY: Flurries, accumulation 5-10cm / Wind light east / Alpine temperature -16
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny / Wind light northeast / Alpine temperature -18
SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud / Wind light west / Alpine temperature -12
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.
Recent shifting winds have been redistributing loose snow into wind slabs on a variety of aspects.