Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 17th, 2020 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Grant Statham,
Parks Canada
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.
Summary
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
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
Expected Size
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 18th, 2020 4:00PM
