Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 17th, 2016 4:58PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
Grant Statham,
Avalanche Canada
Warm temperatures are settling the recent instabilities, and conditions for natural avalanches have improved but we still consider human triggering to be possible in some areas. Be very careful of any slopes that have not yet avalanched recently.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A SW flow over the area will bring isolated flurries over the next few days, along with temperatures ranging from 0 to -8 in alpine areas. Expect valley bottoms to be warmer. Winds are from the south, and will be relatively light for the next few days.
Snowpack Summary
Recent windslab and rapid cornice growth is occurring with 20- 40 cm of recent snow and moderate to strong W winds. A 60-130 cm slab overlies the January 6th weak layer of surface hoar (below 2000m), facets and sun crust. This layer is slowly breaking down but still giving hard sudden planar results in test pits. The lower snowpack is well settled.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported on Wed in Little Yoho, although we are only a few days after a healthy avalanche cycle, and human triggering remains likely.
Confidence
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
- Avoid paths that have not avalanched recently.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 18th, 2016 4:00PM
