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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 17th, 2020–Feb 18th, 2020
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Little Yoho.

Good conditions this week as the snowpack and the weather stabilizes. The sun is higher in late February, so be aware of the increased power of solar radiation on the snowpack. Don't climb under large sun exposed start-zones when the sky is clear.

Weather Forecast

NW flow aloft will keep the temperatures relatively cool over the next few days, with overnight lows near -15 and daytime highs reaching -5. With the sun higher this time of year, be wary of the local heat that can develop in sheltered areas from solar radiation. No new snow and light winds are forecast for Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

Continued settlement and cool temperatures are slowly stabilizing the recently formed windslabs, which could still be triggered in steep, loaded areas in the alpine. Suspect sun crust formation on steep S and SW facing terrain. Overall the deep snowpack is strong in Little Yoho with no significant shear test results.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported on Monday, but Sunday saw many windslabs up to size 2 and a couple of very large (size 3.5) avalanches that ran to valley bottom in adjacent forecast regions with shallower snowpacks.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recently formed windslabs are stabilizing but can still be triggered by people in steep leeward areas at treeline and in the alpine. Cornices have grown very large in recent weeks, so watch your exposure to them carefully.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

This problem is isolated to shallow snowpack areas in Little Yoho, such as Mt. Dennis or Mt. Stephen and we have not had a report of a large, deep avalanche in this area for some time.

  • Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could easily trigger the deep persistent slab.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3.5