Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 8th, 2017 4:19PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs.
Conrad Janzen,
Avalanche Canada
The new snow Monday will increase the load over the weak mid-pack facets and increase the hazard slightly. The biggest concerns are at treeline, in shallow snowpack areas, or in areas there wind loading has occurred. Probe often to find these areas.
Summary
Weather Forecast
5-10cm of snow is forecasted for Sunday night with another 5-10cm of snow on Monday night. Winds will be moderate out of the west with slightly warmer temperatures. The clear skies and cold temperatures return on Tuesday as another ridge of high pressure builds.
Snowpack Summary
Recent winds have created firm surface slabs in many open areas. A 100-150 cm snowpack exists at tree line. In thinner snowpack areas the weak mid-pack facets exist and the main issue is the cohesive surface slab over the facets with potential for larger propagations. Thicker snowpack and higher elevation areas have few weaknesses.
Avalanche Summary
No natural activity was reported or observed in Little Yoho Sunday. Some recent observations in the surrounding area continue to show occasional slabs failing on the mid-pack facets during the last week. Lots of whumphing on the mid-pack facets at treeline was reported recently in the Stanley Mitchell area.
Confidence
Problems
Persistent Slabs
In areas with less than 150cm of snow the weak mid-pack facets from December remain. This is a concern wherever a more cohesive slab of snow sits on top of this weakness. Tree line or wind loaded areas seem to be the primary concern.
- Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.
- Be aware of the potential for wide propagations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 9th, 2017 4:00PM
