Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 4th, 2018–Jan 5th, 2018

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Little Yoho.

The danger may be elevated in steep terrain and gully features, especially on solar aspects if the sun is out. Loose dry snow is sluffing fast and far and can knock you off or bury you in a terrain trap.

Weather Forecast

Temperatures should remain moderate over the next few days. Little precipitation and wind is forecast but winds may gust into the moderate range. Little short term change to the snowpack is expected.

Snowpack Summary

The surface snow is a mix of soft powder and wind effect in alpine areas. The recent cold temperatures have facetted much of the rest of the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Small, loose, dry avalanches were noted today.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Loose Dry

The cold temperatures have facetted the surface snow, and sluffs can pick up mass and travel far. Big sluffs are possible if you are climbing in gullies with steep terrain above, or skiing steep lines. Heads up on solar aspects in particular

The volume of sluffing could knock you over; choose your climb carefully and belay when exposed.Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Wind Slabs

Moderate winds on Jan. 1st created hard windslabs in exposed alpine areas. In places, these sit on a layer of facets from the christmas cold snap and were reactive to skier traffic in the Lake Louise Backcountry on Jan. 2nd.

Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow. Avoid wind loaded terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2