Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 4th, 2015 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada aaron beardmore, Avalanche Canada

Up to 60cm of snow will overlie the Dec 18 surface hoar layer in the next 2 days. We expect this layer to become prime for human triggering.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Up to 20cm of new snow is expected in the lIttle Yoho region over the next 24-48 hours. Along with a NW flow with warming temps, the danger rating will remain in the considerable range.

Snowpack Summary

The main issue currently is the Dec.18 layer which is down 35-50 cm and sits on a crust/surface hoar combination at elevations below 2100 meters and on a facet/surface hoar combination at higher elevations. In places below 2100m there is a melt/freeze crust up to 10cm thick with surface hoar above. Wind slabs have been encountered in alpine areas.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported.. Over the last few days, many features starting to slab up with wind effect have been producing "whumpfs" over the dec 18th layer at treeline and above

Confidence

Intensity of incoming weather systems is uncertain on Monday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The Dec 18 interface is down 35-50 cm and is producing easy to moderate results with field tests. There is likely enough load for human triggering to increase on this layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind effect on Friday has created small wind slabs in lee alpine terrain.

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

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 5th, 2015 4:00PM