Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
It's a great time to get out! Easy travel on firm surfaces (crampons helpful!) with 5-15 cm on high due north aspects. Travel in the early morning hours and watch for sun-triggered wet loose avalanches. Spring Conditions - The hazard is expected to be Low in the cold mornings and rise in accordance with the degree of warming.
Enjoy!
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches were observed or reported in Yoho on Wednesday.
Snowpack Summary
Hard surface crusts exist on steep solar aspects and at treeline and below.
On north-facing alpine slopes, there is 10-20 cm of dry snow over firmer surfaces. Off due north, some alpine slopes may have a new surface thin crust capping the 10 cm of snow from a few days ago.
A settled mid-pack sits over the Jan facets down 90 to 150cm, with a well-settled lower snowpack below.
Weather Summary
Progressively warmer over Thursday through Saturday with clear skies and light SW wind. Despite the warming trend for temperatures at 3000 m over the next few days, the freezing levels drop to the valley bottom for Wednesday and Thursday night. Daytime freezing levels rise to 2500 m on Thursday, 2800 m on Friday, and about 3000 m on Saturday.
See the attached weather table for more on temperatures and wind.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Wet
Monitor daytime temperatures and solar input, as this problem may develop over the day. Start and finish your tour early to avoid this problem.
Aspects: South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Cornices
As the days progressively warm with solar input and temperatures, from Thursday to Saturday, there may be more incidents of cornice failures. Consider and manage your exposure to terrain overhead.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2