Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
Cooler temperatures are forecast for Wednesday, but pay attention to solar radiation and how quickly the day is warming up. Some loose wet avalanches may occur if day is warmer then forecasted. Plan on starting and finishing your day early.
Confidence
No Rating
Avalanche Summary
Several small wet loose avalanches out of steep solar terrain were reported on Tuesday afternoon.
On Saturday, skiers in the Ferris Glacier area remote-triggered a wind slab 60 cm deep on NE alpine terrain at ~2750 m.
On Friday, skiers remotely triggered a wind slab at ~2850 m on St. Nicholas size 2.5 that stepped down to deeper layers in a rocky area, and occurred on steep, unsupported ENE facing terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Crusts on solar aspects to ridgetop, with crusts on all aspects at treeline and below. 20-40 cm of dry snow on north-facing alpine slopes with some wind slabs in alpine lee areas.
A stiff midpack sits over a weaker layer of Jan facets in some places, but this is mainly a concern in thin snowpack areas. On all but high north aspects, crusts in the upper snowpack overlay this midpack slab. If these crusts are thick, and remain frozen, they provide good strength over the weakness.
Weather Summary
Wednesday will bring a mix of sun and cloud and slightly cooler temperatures with freezing levels around 18-1900m. Winds forecast to be light to moderate from the northwest. Friday will bring clear skies and higher freezing levels.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Residual wind slabs may persist in lee high alpine features. Watch for these wind slabs as you transition into the higher alpine terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A 90-150 cm slab sits on the Jan 30 facet layer. On all but high north aspects recent sun crusts and the March 27 rain crust cap this slab, providing good security. Continue to use caution in thinner snowpack areas in the alpine, or when these crusts are weak or breaking down with daytime heat.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3