Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 13th, 2021 4:00PM
The alpine rating is Wind Slabs and Loose Dry.
, the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems includeSnow Safety,
New wind slabs are the main concern in Little Yoho, and cornices have been seen to fail over the last few days.
Summary
Weather Forecast
After another -25 to -30C morning, temperatures will rise again on Sunday with highs at treeline of between -12 to -16 C. Skies will remain mainly clear. Alpine winds will decrease to light and will switch to a more Westerly flow. We will see a gradual increase in temperature over the next week.
Snowpack Summary
Winds have created small slabs in lee areas of the alpine, and wind effect in open alpine and treeline areas. The surface snow is facetting quickly and beginning to sluff more easily in steep terrain. A facet layer from Jan 27th is present at treeline and in the alpine down 30-40cm. On steep south this layer may consist of a thin sun crust as well.
Avalanche Summary
Increased winds saw some loose dry activity in steep alpine terrain on Mt. Stephen. Cornice failures have been observed over the past few days, which have pulled small wind slabs below. A size 2to 2.5 on Mt. Carnarvon was reported to have occurred over the last 24 hours, but it is unsure what the trigger was.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
New wind slabs have formed over the last 24 hours. These are generally small in size but would be of concern in steep alpine features. New cornices have been failing and observed to pull wind slabs below.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Dry
As the surface snow facets and weakens, it is starting to sluff more easily in steep terrain. This is mostly a problem in narrow confined terrain like gullies or couloirs.
- Be careful of loose dry power sluffing in steep terrain.
- On steep slopes, pull over periodically or cut into a new line to manage sluffing.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 14th, 2021 4:00PM