Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
5-15 cm has fallen in the last few days and has created touchy wind slabs on NE features. LP
Weather Forecast
Continued light flurries, warm alpine temperatures (-6C), and light to moderate west winds with strong gusts expected for the next 2 days. We may see more intensive flurries on Sunday adding to the existing storm and wind slabs and in turn increase the avalanche hazard.
Snowpack Summary
There is 50-70 cm of snow at tree line which is generally weak, and facetted, but there is some mid-pack support. Some fresh wind and storm slabs exist in lee alpine terrain which may be reactive to skier triggering. The October crust is 10-20 cm from ground and producing mod-hard results with comp. test.
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanche activity observed in the last several days. Sunshine forecasters reported ski cutting a size 1.5 avalanche in previously worked terrain. It was a 10-15 cm thick storm slab over a wind slab, which stepped down to the basal rain crust or facets. It was on a lee NE facing alpine feature.
Confidence
Track of incoming weather systems is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
This layer is a concern in isolated areas loaded by wind. These slabs sit on a weak facetted base. There has been no recent natural avalanches on this layer, but it still may be triggered by skiers or climbers.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Storm Slabs
Thin (10-15 cm thick) touchy,low density, storm slabs have been reported in the region on lee features.
- The new snow will require several days to settle and stabilize.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2