Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 16th, 2016 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Loose Dry and Wind Slabs.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSmall amounts of snow will hopefully start to cover all those tracks out there! The biggest hazard is triggering a facet avalanche which can have bigger consequences in terrain traps. SH
Summary
Weather Forecast
3-5 cm forecasted into Sunday morning in Little Yoho. West winds will spike briefly both tonight (Saturday) and Sunday night but will diminish during the day. On Sunday, valley temperatures will be in the -2 to -5 range and alpine temps will be in the -8 to -10 range.
Snowpack Summary
There is now an average of 15-20 cm over the Jan 6 combination of surface hoar, facets and sun crust at treeline. Small wind slabs should be expected along high alpine ridge crests resulting mainly from West winds. The snowpack is facetting. Upper layers are very weak however the snowpack remains supportive in deeper areas (> 1m snowpack)
Avalanche Summary
Loose dry events to size 1.5 in steep terrain require only a very light trigger as the weak facetted surface layers sluff. These can run a surprising distance. There have been a few small wind slabs reported in recent days out of alpine ridge crests but they remain isolated and "sluggish" to move.
Confidence
Problems
Loose Dry
New snow and surface facets will sluff easily in very steep terrain, especially in thin snowpack areas. These sluffs may have high consequence for skiers or climbers in large or confined terrain.
- On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.
- Be aware of party members below you that may be exposed to your sluffs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Isolated wind slabs near ridge crests have been formed by West winds. These are small in nature but may be sitting over facets (less likely in this area) or sun crust which can run further than expected.
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 17th, 2016 4:00PM