Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
Hazard is rated Low in the morning below tree-line. It will rise to Considerable in the afternoon (especially on sun exposed slopes) as the day warms up.
Weather Forecast
Mixed sun and cloud for Tuesday. No snow and freezing levels rising to 1700 m. Alpine temps will reach high of -5. Warming trend through end of week with freezing levels rising to 2300 m on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
20-30 cm of recent storm snow sits on a well settled mid-pack. In shallow areas (Field ice climbs) the base is weak and facetted. Shears persist on this facet interface. In deeper areas (Little Yoho Valley), the deep weak layers are less of a concern. Expect buried sun crust on solar aspects, and a melt freeze crust BTL,
Avalanche Summary
Several cornice triggered avalanches up to size 2 were reported on the Wapta today.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
The snowpack is stabilizing after the last avalanche cycle, and now we are left with a low probability, high consequence problem. Natural avalanches have mostly ceased, but triggering is still possible - especially from large loads like cornices.
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 4
Loose Wet
Pay attention to day time warming. Sunny skies and warm temperatures are increasing the avalanche hazard on sun exposed slopes in the afternoon.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Cornices are big and we are getting regular reports of cornices failing. A large cornice fall could trigger a bigger avalanche on the slope below.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2