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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 4th, 2017–Feb 5th, 2017
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be considerable
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Regions: Little Yoho.

Current forecasts are showing 15-20cm Saturday night through Monday. Ice climbers should be cautious approaching routes and climbing in gully terrain if snow amounts and valley winds materialize.

Weather Forecast

15-25 cm of snow is expected Saturday night through to Monday with an upslope component. There is still uncertainty with amounts. Mainly light to moderate East winds and the possibility of a "Yoho blow" which means increased valley winds. -15C as the high tomorrow and into the -20's for Monday.

Snowpack Summary

10-15cm over the last 24 hours. This sits on previous hard surfaces from winds last weekend. A generally weak snowpack exists below 2000m. At 2000m there is about 150cm with the Jan 17 surface hoar layer down 40cm. In the mid-pack, the Dec facets are around 20cm thick. Deeper snowpack areas closer to the Wapta have a much more solid snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported in the last 24 hours.

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Sunday

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

The generally weak, facetted mid pack is producing moderate to hard shears. In the upper snowpack around treeline a buried layer of surface hoar produces variable shears. Current slab development will make triggering these layers more likely.

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
  • Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 2 - 3

Storm Slabs

Currently small in size, watch locally for their formation and the bed surface below. This can be facets, wind layers, surface hoar, or sun crust. As there is an easterly component, if there are increased winds watch for reverse loading.

  • Keep an eye out for reverse loading created by an upslope storm.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2