Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
A natural avalanche cycle occurred today due to the warm temperatures. We expect this to continue until things cool down. Until then avoid all avalanche terrain and minimize your exposure to large slopes when traveling at valley bottom.
Weather Forecast
Continued warm temperatures with freezing levels near ridge tops and strong to extreme W winds continue for Monday. On Tuesday things begin to cool off slightly and we may see some light precipitation. Wednesday the cooling trend continues with winds shifting to the North and generally clear skies.
Snowpack Summary
Strong to extreme SW winds creating wind slabs in open areas above tree line and intense wind transport at ridge tops. Moist snow to ridge top on solar aspects and on all aspects below tree line. Dec 18th surface hoar failing naturally in some locations and producing avalanches up size 2.5 today.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural avalanches were observed and reported today with slabs up to size 2.5 at tree line and above and loose wet slides up to size 2 below tree line in all of the forecast region. Notably Cascade Falls, Rogans Gully, Bourgeau L & R and many of the climbs in Field all saw avalanche activity today. We expect this cycle to continue tomorrow
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Tuesday
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Strong winds may keep snow surfaces cool at upper elevations, but lower elevations and thin rocky areas on solar aspects should be suspect. Loose wet avalanches may also step down and trigger deeper layers in the snowpack.
- Avoid steep, open slopes.
- Watch for clues, like sluffing off of cliffs, that the snowpack is warming up.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
The Dec. 18th layer persists in some areas and should be treated with caution as the new snow and warm temperatures have caused several natural avalanches on this layer. Avoid exposure to avalanche terrain until things cool down.
- Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely - Very Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Wind Slabs
New wind slabs will continue to form in open areas above tree line with the strong W winds and warm temperatures. These will be prone to human triggering over the next few days.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
- 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, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2