Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
Very good skiing and travel conditions are present a higher elevations, but it makes sense to stick to conservative terrain choices with minimal overhead hazard. We are still getting fairly regular reports of large natural avalanches running far.
Weather Forecast
Increasing cloudiness with freezing levels up to 1800m and slightly warmer temperatures are forecast on Monday with daytime highs at valley bottom approaching 10 degrees and lows below freezing. Expect a few cm's of new snow in the alpine with Moderate SW winds.
Snowpack Summary
10-15cm of soft snow sits on 100cm of dense, rounded snow comprising the upper half of the snowpack. This sits on a variety of foundations depending on location. In shallow areas (eg: Field ice climbs) the base is weak depth hoar. In deeper areas (eg: Little Yoho Valley), the base is stronger. Shears persist in the deep facets in shallow areas.
Avalanche Summary
Natural activity has decreased over the last few days however avalanche reports continue to come in. A cornice triggered Na size 3 was observed on Fatigue Mountain Sunday, and reports of solar triggered avalanches up to size 3 East of our forecast area. It still appears to take only small inputs of sun, wind or precip to trigger natural events.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Monday
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Natural activity is starting to taper, but the snowpack is considered very suspect right now. Large avalanches initiating TL and above have recently run to valley bottom with crowns up to 2m + deep and several hundred meters in length.
- Be wary of slopes that did not previously avalanche.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 4
Wind Slabs
Wind transport has continued at ridge crests creating wind slabs in immediate lee ares and new fragile growth on cornices. Avoid areas with fresh wind slabs or with cornice hazard overhead.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger persistent slabs.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Loose Wet
Increased daytime temperatures will result in a deteriorating snowpack structure below tree line. Keep a close eye on temperatures changes throughout the day, and the strength of solar inputs on steep solar aspects.
- Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2