Unseasonably warm temperatures are affecting the Avalanche Danger Ratings in the Cariboo.
Avalanche Canada Forecaster Ari Hannah said today (January 29) they’re at High Hazard.
“Looking forward we’re going to see a gradual cooling trend and a gradual down trend in danger. So upper elevation will be at Considerable avalanche danger in the next few days. That means dangerous avalanche condition, careful snow pack evaluation, cautious route finding, and conservative decision making are essential. And then lower elevation will be at Moderate danger which still means heightened avalanche conditions but on specific terrain features.”
Hannah said you need to evaluate snow and terrain carefully and identify the features of concern.
We asked with unseasonably warm temperatures what are some of the affects that creates.
“The greatest impact will be at high elevations where formerly dry snow saw positive temperatures for the first time as the freezing levels shot up and in these sorts of areas buried weak layers have become increasingly active over the warm period and it’s melted the snow surface. It will eventually cool to form a crust and then when it gets buried at some point, it’s potentially creating a future avalanche problem.”
Hannah noted that right now the safest areas are outside of avalanche terrain or in simple terrain with mellow slopes and away from overhead hazards.
Something going on in the Cariboo you think people should know about?
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