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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 28th, 2020–Jan 29th, 2020
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable

Regions: Little Yoho.

Extreme wind on Wednesday will load lee areas and create wind-slabs. A storm is set to arrive on Friday, raising the avalanche hazard again when the snow arrives.

Weather Forecast

Increasing wind from the SW will start early on Wednesday, loading alpine lee areas. Temperatures will be very similar to the last few days. The leading edge of a major front is expected to deliver snow starting in the early morning hours on Friday.

Snowpack Summary

There is 40-80 cm above the Dec 31 layer of facets, surface hoar and sun crust which produces test results in the hard range. The bottom layer of the snow-pack consists of weak facets and depth hoar, except for in deeper snow-pack areas (over 2m) where the basal facets are not as prominent.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches observed or reported on Tuesday.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Friday

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Extreme wind values from the SW throughout the day on Wednesday will load lee areas, especially in the alpine. Due to the extreme winds, wind slabs could be forming at tree line.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

The Dec 31 layer is located 80cm down from surface in the Tak Falls study plot on Monday. Snowpack tests showed no results on this layer. Digging in nearby locations showed similar results. However, surface hoar was located on Mt. Field last Friday.

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a piece of terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Deep Persistent Slabs

Generally the snowpack in the Little Yoho region is deeper and these layers are not as distinct. It is still a good idea to be cautious with shallow snowpack areas and avoid thin spots.

  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger the deep persistent slab.
  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3.5