Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
Stability is generally good; however, the cold temps are taking their toll in thin snowpack areas. Watch for loose dry avalanches in areas that are completely facetted along with cornice failures on alpine slopes.
Weather Forecast
A blocking ridge of high pressure will bring sunny skies, cold nights and light northerly winds through the forecast period. Conditions are prime for daytime inversions which means it will be warmer in the alpine than in the valley bottom, although alpine temperatures shouldn't approach zero degrees celsius.
Snowpack Summary
20-40cm thick wind slabs exist in high alpine features and are stubborn to unreactive from field reports. W of the divide, a well settled snowpack exists in deeper locations with the basal Nov 6 crust well bonded. In the front ranges E of the divide, a mainly facetted snowpack exists with the Nov 6 basal crust being mainly facetted.Â
Avalanche Summary
Lake Louise ski area reported a small, skier triggered avalanche in a steep, thin treeline area today. This was a loose dry avalanche in an area with a completely facetted snowpack. In a deeper snowpack area, a large cornice failure was reported above the Bourgeau LH ice climb, but did not trigger a slab.
Confidence
The weather pattern is stable
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Reports are showing windslabs created in the last week are stubborn to unreactive on lee ridgetop features. Most likely triggerable in aggressive, steep, lee terrain near ridgetops.
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Dry
This problem exists mainly in thin snowpack areas E of the divide where the snowpack has completely facetted and lost all cohesion. Watch for sloughing in steep terrain where the snow is unsupportive.
- Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.
- Carefully evaluate and use caution around thin snowpack areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
The cold temperatures are facetting out cornices and large cornice failures have been observed. Although the cornice failures have not been triggering slabs on the slopes below, the cornice chunks themselves would definitely hurt if they hit you
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
- Extra caution needed around cornices with current conditions.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2