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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 18th, 2016–Feb 19th, 2016
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
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
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Little Yoho.

Avalanche sightings and/or close calls are still occurring on a daily basis. Cooling temperatures will take some time to start settling down the avalanche activity. We still have low confidence in the current snowpack. SH

Weather Forecast

5-10cm expected overnight with moderate to strong west winds and cooling temperatures.  Freezing levels are forecast to stay at valley bottom with alpine temperatures in the -10 to -12 range with diminishing winds.  Only light snow and winds with cooler temps in the current 3 day forecast.

Snowpack Summary

Fresh windslab and rapid cornice growth is occurring with 20- 40 cm of recent snow and moderate to strong West winds. A 60-130 cm slab overlies the January 6th weak layer of surface hoar (below 2000m), facets and sun crust. This layer is variable in tests, giving mainly hard results in test pits.  The lower snowpack is well settled in the region.

Avalanche Summary

Lots of loose wet activity in the size 1-1.5 range Thursday at treeline and below from warm temperatures and rain in the Little Yoho region.  Some larger avalanches ( size 2-2.5) were noted on solar aspects when the sun popped out on Mt. Ogden in the Takakkaw falls area. 

Confidence

Freezing levels are uncertain on Friday

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

60-130 cm of snow overlies the Jan 6th layer of surface hoar, sun crust and facets and there have been many avalanches on this layer over the last week. Snowpack tests are giving hard sudden planar results and it has been less reactive below treeline

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
  • Avoid paths that have not avalanched recently.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Be mindful of cross loaded features and the lees of ridges where fresh windslabs 30-60 cm thick have recently formed. If triggered, there is potential to step down to the persistent weak layer and to ground in thin areas.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2