Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
Still good ski quality despite increasing wind effect in the alpine. Move cautiously into bigger terrain features as we have limited observations from the region, and the weak layers are not yet well defined.
Weather Forecast
Cloudy skies with light North winds and flurries producing small amounts of snow are forecast for Sunday. Cooler temperatures in the -18 to -20C range are expected in the alpine.
Snowpack Summary
50-60cm of snow sits over a layer of facets and surface hoar formed mid Jan at treeline and below producing moderate sudden planar results. In the alpine a layer of facets can be found down 80-100cm with a stiff snowpack above and below. Deeper snowpack areas closer to the Wapta have a more settled snowpack with fewer weaknesses.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity noted or reported on Saturday. Signs of the previous widespread avalanche cycle were evident on Mt. Field up to size 2.5 on Friday.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Be conservative with your terrain choices, especially when entering larger, steeper features. Dig down to see where the January weak layer is and how it is reacting locally. We are still unsure about distribution of this layer within the region.
- Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Loose Dry
Gusty West winds have been moving the new snow around and creating thin wind slabs at treeline and above. Sluffing in steep gullies was also observed on Saturday.
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading have created wind slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2