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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Mar 2nd, 2017–Mar 3rd, 2017
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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

Regions: Little Yoho.

A short intense storm is currently forecast for Friday which will likely cause an avalanche cycle.  Climbers should limit overhead exposure in gully features as natural avalanches initiated up high have potential to reach below treeline. 

Weather Forecast

A 24 hour long system will roll into the region Friday AM with 3000m winds up to 100kmh, 2000m winds around 40kmh and 20-30cm of snow. Temperatures will be around -10C in the alpine and -3 to -5C at 2000m. Winds will die down and temperatures will cool off Saturday and Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

30cm of soft snow overlies a well-settled and firm middle of the snowpack. Near treeline, concern remains for a facetted layer that sits in the lower third of the snowpack, and an old surface hoar layer down about 50-70 cm that has recently produced sudden planar shears. Deeper snowpacks to the west of the Wapta Icefields have the strongest snow.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity was observed or reported on Wednesday.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Friday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

With strong winds and fresh snow, expect new wind slabs to form and fail during the forecast storm. If triggered these may step down to where weaker layers are present, especially at treeline.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

Overall there is decent bridging over weaker persistent layers in the alpine, but larger triggers may wake these up. At treeline and below these persistent layers are more prominent and are down 50-70cm. 

  • Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Loose Dry

In the short term, watch for heavy sloughing in gullies and terrain traps. This could be especially true on the ice climbs around the Field area.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Very Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2