Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
Natural activity is tapering off, but uncertainty remains high. Approach terrain decisions with intention and allow for a margin of error.
Avalanche control is being conducted on Mt Stephen on Mar 31, 2025. This area will be closed.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches observed or reported in the Little Yoho forecast region today.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 25cm of settled of storm snow has accumulated over the past three days. This new snow overlies rain and temperature crusts up to ~2500 m. A 90-150 cm dense slab now sits over a persistent weak layer of facets from Jan/Feb. The facets are rounding but are still a concern, especially in areas with a thinner snowpack. In most areas the lower snowpack is well settled. Below 1500 m the snowpack is becoming isothermal.
Weather Summary
Light southerly winds will persist through Monday. Temperatures will remain seasonal or slightly cooler, with valley highs just above zero in the afternoon and ridge temperatures near -9°C. A minor system is expected to bring less than 5 cm of precipitation late Monday into early Tuesday.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
- Give the new snow several days to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
A 90-150 cm slab of dense snow now sits atop the persistent mid-pack facet layer from Jan/Feb. There has been a lot of large avalanche activity on this facet layer, and where it is weak and hasn't yet avalanched, triggering it remains a concern.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5
Storm Slabs
Up to 25cm of settled storm snow buries previous crusts and winds slabs. This new snow could fail as a storm slab in steep terrain, and has potential to step down to deeper weak layers in the snowpack. Any significant solar inputs on Monday will increase the likelihood of these slabs being triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
This problem is driven by air temperature and solar input. The latest storm snow sits on a crust and could slide easily if conditions warm, especially under strong sun. Heat and solar input remain uncertain in the models, so monitor conditions closely at the local level on Monday.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2