Avalanche forecast

Little Yoho

Mar 26 – 27, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Watch for a weakening of the snowpack due to solar heating and possible heat related cornice failures when the skies clear over the next few days.

While a deeper, stronger, snowpack exists in many parts of the Yoho zone, pay attention to shallow snowpack areas where the potential to trigger the deeper weak layers remains more likely.

Avalanche problems

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Continue to pay attention to the weaker basal facet layer in areas where the snowpack is shallower (<2 m) such as moraines or wind scoured areas, or in places where a large trigger like a cornice fall could impact the slope. In deeper snowpack areas of this region the basal facets are less of a concern.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported on Sunday in this region. Still seeing some human triggered avalanches at treeline and in the alpine in areas to the East with a thinner snowpack.

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of storm snow sits over buried temperature crusts to 1500 m, sun crusts to ridgetop on solar aspects, and facets on shaded slopes. The midpack in this area has several crust and facet layers that have been unreactive recently. The base of the snowpack still consists of weaker facets. These facets are mostly a concern in thinner snowpack areas (<2 m).

Weather Summary

Scattered light flurries with a couple cm's of new snow Sunday night into Monday morning. A clearing trend starts mid-day on Monday as a high pressure system moves into the area. Alpine highs between -5 and -8°C with light NW winds are forecast. Clear skies and cool temperatures Monday night with sunshine expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.

Regions covered