Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
We are in a period of rising avalanche hazard. As the new snow arrives with strong winds and warming temperatures, minimize your exposure to cornices or large start zones, and expect sluffing out of steep terrain.
Weather Forecast
Snow has started to fall in the Western areas of the region. We expect 10-15cm overnight. The next several days will have light to moderate precipitation, strong to extreme West winds, and warming temperatures with freezing levels hovering around the 2000m level from late Saturday afternoon to Monday.
Snowpack Summary
Wind slabs exist in alpine areas. The snowpack in the Emerald Lake and Mt Field area is about 130cm deep, with the main weakness being the Dec 18 surface hoar down 50cm. This layer continues to produce moderate to hard results, but the layer is not found in all areas. We suspect some bonding is occurring with this layer, but remain careful.
Avalanche Summary
No natural avalanches observed in the last 48hrs. Forecasters on Mt. Field on Jan 21st experienced large whumpfs in an open area at 1850m indicating the deeper layers may still be reactive to human triggering in some areas.
Confidence
Freezing levels are uncertain on Sunday
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
With the new snow and strong W winds, wind slabs are forming in open areas above tree line. These may fail naturally in some locations and are likely to be skier triggered in steep terrain so avoid freshly wind loaded areas.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Minimize overhead exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
The Dec 18 surface hoar continues to be found 50cm down, but the layer is slowly bonding to the overlying snow. Regardless, this layer is still present and should be considered carefully especially as we experience warming temps and additional load.
- Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
- Use conservative route selection, choose moderate angled and supported terrain with low consequence.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3