Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
A cooling trend should tighten up the snowpack below treeline. Pay attention to fresh windslabs in the alpine.
Weather Forecast
A mix of sun and cloud expected for Wednesday and Thursday. A cooling trend is forecasted with overnight freezing levels at the valley floor and rising to 1400 meters during the day. Ridge top winds will be moderate from the west.
Snowpack Summary
Very strong westerly winds have seriously blasted the region. Wind pressed snow and wind slabs in lee terrain can be expected in the alpine. On Tuesday the snowpack was isothermal below treeline in many areas, but we expect this condition to improve with forecasted cooler temperatures on Wednesday.
Avalanche Summary
The warm temperatures created a widespread avalanche cycle on Sunday and Monday. Tuesday saw slightly cooler temperatures and less natural activity. Avalanches observed were restricted to isothermal avalanches in shallow snowpack areas below treeline.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Very strong SW winds over the past few days have created deep windslabs above treeline. These slabs have the potential to trigger the deeper layers in the snowpack, making for a large avalanches. Avoid all windloaded terrain.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3
Persistent Slabs
The Dec 18 surface hoar still exists in the upper 70 cm of the snowpack, and if triggered can produce a large avalanche. Areas to watch for would be open, north facing glades at treeline where surface hoar can persist for long periods of time.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 3