Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
More snow and wind will continue to create wind slabs at upper elevations.
Weather Forecast
Strong to extreme Westerly winds at mountain top will begin to dissipated late Tuesday. A short pulse of precipitation is forecasted late Monday, with accumulation amounts of 5-20cm of snow. Freezing levels with remain at valley bottom with temperatures ranging from -5 to -10.
Snowpack Summary
Over a meter of new snow has fallen at tree line in the Little Yoho region over the last week with recent winds creating wind slabs in alpine and exposed treeline lee areas. The new snow has settled into 50-80 cm of storm snow over the Feb 19 interface and seems to be bonding well in most places. Surface snow is sluffing easily in steep terrain.
Avalanche Summary
Report of a skier triggered cornice on Emerald Peak initiated a size 2 avalanche Sunday. This is the second report of a cornice release in this region over the weekend.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Ongoing new snow and wind continue to create wind slabs in alpine and exposed treeline lee areas. Increased wind from the West in the strong range will add to the problem Monday. Cornices have also grown quickly and should be considered suspect.
- Watch for shooting cracks or stiffer feeling snow. Avoid areas that appear wind loaded.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created slabs over weaker snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Dry
Incremental snow accumulation and increased wind will add to the problem on Monday. Watch your exposure to steep terrain traps and gully features.
- Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain, particularly where the debris flows into terrain traps.
- On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2