Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 22nd, 2017 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.
snow safety,
Avalanche Canada
Current conditions are some of the most dangerous for backcountry travelers. Natural avalanches are unlikely; thus the problem is not obvious - but human triggered avalanches are likely, and happening daily. Keep a wide margin of safety . . .
Summary
Weather Forecast
Cool temperatures, flurries and a mix of sun and cloud are forecast. This should slowly moderate the snowpack.
Snowpack Summary
Yoho has a much deeper snowpack than neighbouring areas. There is 250 cm at treeline and this has reduced the temperature gradient and helped facilitate rounding. The main weakness is at the Storm interface down 30-50 cm. The slab sits on large stellars and old rounding facets.
Avalanche Summary
One older avalanche was noted today on a Southerly aspect in the Northern corner of Little Yoho. Neighbouring areas are reporting skier triggered avalanches.
Confidence
Problems
Persistent Slabs
A thick slab of more recent snow sits over several weak facet interfaces in the mid and lower snow pack where ever the snowpack is thin. Dig down to see if these facets are present and if so choose conservative terrain features.
- Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Thin wind slabs are present in the alpine due to the fresh snow. There are also buried wind slabs that are becoming less reactive but should still be on your radar. Probe to find them, especially near ridge crests and in cross loaded areas.
- If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 23rd, 2017 4:00PM
