Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
Watch for solar crusts, may affect ski quality on South aspects. Clear skies and continued solar input will keep the hazard elevated for the next couple of days up high.
Weather Forecast
The upper ridge will continue too build tonight and through tomorrow, this will bring seasonable temperatures and clear skies for the next couple of days.
Snowpack Summary
Extensive wind effect in exposed areas above treeline, with wind slabs in lee areas at treeline and in the alpine. Jan 30 surface hoar and sun crust is down 20-50 cm and is still reactive in tests. Crusts can be found too 2000m, above this crusts continue on solar aspects. Shallow snowpack areas remain weak and faceted.
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanches reported or observed
Confidence
Timing or intensity of solar radiation is uncertain
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Previous strong winds from the W-NW have developed wind slabs in lee areas at treeline and above. These have been relatively stubborn but keep them in mind in steep terrain. New cornice development has also been observed.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
- Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
The Jan 30 layer exists as surface hoar in sheltered areas and sun crust on steep southerly aspects 20 to 50cm down. We have observed few avalanches on this interface so far.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2