Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 4th, 2017 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
aaron beardmore,
Avalanche Canada
Extra caution for ice climbers on Mt Stephen. There have been reports of wind slabs on the approaches to these climbs.
Summary
Weather Forecast
Finally, some respite from the cold temps with increases warming to the -10 range through Thursday. Increased cloud cover and small amounts of precip up to 5mm. Wind will shift from North to West and decrease in velocity late on Thursday.
Snowpack Summary
The storm snow from last week has settled and tops a 100-150 cm snowpack at tree line. In areas with a thinner snowpack the mid pack facets exist and are quite weak. In these areas the main issue is wind slabs forming a cohesive slab over the facets with potential for larger propagations. Thicker snowpack areas have few weaknesses in the snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
No natural activity was reported or observed in Little Yoho today. However, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village patrollers/forecasters were able to trigger a few wind slabs with explosives up to size 2.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs exist in alpine and some treeline locations. Watch for these wind slabs as you transition into alpine terrain.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets while approaching and climbing ice routes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
In areas with less than 150cm of snow the weak mid pack facets from early December remain. This is a concern wherever a cohesive slab of recent snow sits on top of this weakness. Wind loaded areas are the primary concern.
- Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 5th, 2017 4:00PM
