Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 3rd, 2014–Jan 4th, 2014

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Little Yoho.

Watch locally for N/NW winds in the next 24 hours. It wont take much to cause the hazard to go to High at upper elevations. We still have an overall weak snowpack, and have low confidence in bigger terrain. Ski quality is good in sheltered areas.SH

Weather Forecast

A N/NW flow with light - mod. winds will dominate for the next few days, with temperatures cooling to -15C Friday night. Expect a clearing trend with a trace of snow Friday night and none expected for the weekend

Snowpack Summary

20-30cm fell(tapering off to the W) in the last 24 hours, with little wind effect overall. 100cm at treeline on average. This new snow overlies previous wind slabs which sit over the basal depth hoar/ crust. Mod compression results found today at treeline on Hwy 93.N, collapsing in the depth hoar. More supportive midpack W of the divide.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous avalanches to sz. 2.5 stepping to ground were observed in the alpine today on numerous aspects, but a widespread avalanche cycle did not occur (probably due to lack of wind). A size 2 poured over Pilsner Pillar on Mt. Dennis and left of Silk Tassel on Mt. Field. We have been seeing isolated slides like this every day for over a week.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Friday

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.