Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
The hazard will gradually increase on Monday with new snow, wind and warmer temperatures. How much the hazard rises will depend on snow amounts so monitor this through the day.
Weather Forecast
Light snow is expected overnight Sunday with strong west winds. 12-18 cm of new snow with moderate west winds expected by the end of the day Monday. Freezing levels will rise to 1700m by Monday afternoon.
Snowpack Summary
Extensive wind effect in the alpine and treeline. Thin sun crust on steep solar aspects. 20-40 cm of faceted snow in sheltered areas over the Feb 15 sun crust/hard slab interface. The Jan 30th surface hoar/sun crust layer is down 35-70 cm and variable in distribution and reactivity, producing hard sudden planar to no results in snowpack tests.
Avalanche Summary
A remote cornice failure triggered a size 3 avalanche in Kootenay National Park on Wednesday. On a flight over the forecast region Saturday several old avalanches from early last week were observed, this activity appeared to be a combination of wind slabs, storm slabs and loose dry. No avalanches observed or reported Sunday.
Confidence
Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain on Tuesday
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and mod-strong W winds will build new wind slabs on Monday. These will become easier to trigger as snow amounts increase and are forming over a variety of surfaces including old wind effect, sun crusts and facets. Some sluffing may occur.
- Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2