Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Apr 8th, 2016 4:00PM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Loose Wet and Persistent Slabs.

Avalanche Canada tim haggarty, Avalanche Canada

Heating over the last two days has added a lot of heat to the snowpack. Expect crusts to break down quickly at lower elevations despite the cooler temperatures that are forecast. Spring Conditions !

Summary

Weather Forecast

Following the hot and sunny conditions Thursday and Friday, passage of a cold front late Friday promises to bring cooler temperatures for Saturday with freezing levels peaking at around 2200m through Sunday. Watch for sunny periods to bring heating on both days with a bit more clearing likely on Sunday. 

Snowpack Summary

We are into a spring cycle for most of the Little Yoho area except in the high alpine. Dry snow was seen above 2200m on N aspects on Thursday before the warmer temperatures on Friday. Occasional pockets of deep instability may still be encountered and triggered from warm or shallow locations.

Avalanche Summary

A cycle of loose wet avalanches likely occurred with the reasonably strong heating Friday mainly on South and Western aspects.

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

Avoid steep slopes or gullies as the day heats up and the crust on top of the snowpack melts. Plan to finish early over the next few days.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

There are several buried sun crusts exist in the upper snowpack and it remains possible to trigger these layers once the surface crusts break down during any prolonged heating from the sun.

  • Travel early before the heat of the day, and avoid big slopes in the afternoon.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Valid until: Apr 9th, 2016 4:00PM