Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 11th, 2020 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.

Parks Canada aaron beardmore, Parks Canada

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Wind-slabs and strong wind forming new wind slabs in lee areas in the alpine.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Reasonable temperatures of about -6 to -10 are expected on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, the wind is expected to taper off to the light range and some clear periods may develop. Roughly 10cm of snow is expected Thursday afternoon in to Friday.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 20 cm of snow in the past several days. Strong wind has created fresh wind slabs at treeline and in the alpine up to 20cm thick today. In many areas a dense mid pack sits over the basal weak layers of facets and depth hoar. Deep snowpack areas (>150 cm) have a denser base. A buried rain crust from February 1st is present up to 1850 m.

Avalanche Summary

Lake Louise and Sunshine ski patrol both reported small soft wind slabs to size 1. Otherwise no avalanches observed or reported today.

Confidence

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Strong wind from the SW materialized today and created wind slabs in lee areas. Ski patrollers could easily ski cut small soft avalanches today. Travel where you can avoid wind slabs until they have a chance to bond.

  • 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: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Deep Persistent Slabs

Due to a more consolidated basal snowpack, deep persistent slab avalanches are less likely in Little Yoho. However, avoiding shallow areas where triggering is most likely is always good practice.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Valid until: Feb 12th, 2020 4:00PM