Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
Watch locally for wind slabs which can step down to deeper weak layers. Depending on which forecast you look at, 20-30cm is possible by early next week along and West of the divide.
Weather Forecast
3-5 cm of snow starting in the afternoon in Little Yoho. The wind will be moderate to strong from the West and temperatures will be -7C in the alpine and close to 0C in the valley bottom. Snow will continue Sunday and Monday with 20-30cm possible by Monday.
Snowpack Summary
15-30 cm of faceted snow overtop of a melt freeze crust from early November (crust only exists below 2300 m). Below this crust unconsolidated facets exist to ground. Treeline snow depths range from 50-80 cm, with up to 110 cm in wind loaded alpine areas. Some areas of wind slab exist at ridgetops and cross loaded features.
Avalanche Summary
No observations in Little Yoho today, but East of the divide some loose dry avalanches in the range of size 1.5-2 were observed. These were in steep, cross loaded gullies on Observation Peak, and a couple of smaller wind slabs from steep ridgetops in the same area.
Confidence
Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong winds have redistributed most of the recent loose snow in the alpine. With more snow in the forecast through the weekend these will likely grow in size.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
The lower snowpack consists of weak facets. There is potential for avalanches to step down to this deeper layer.
- Convex features and steep unsupported slopes will be most prone to triggering.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2