Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 3rd, 2015 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada snow safety, Avalanche Canada

We are at a tipping point in the Little Yoho region. 20+cm has added enough load over the Dec 18th layer to be a real concern to back country users. This is especially true in any wind affected area. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Snow will taper off for Sunday, with light NW winds and lows in the -20's. Another 10-15cm is possible on Sunday into Monday night with moderate West winds accompanied by warmer temperatures.

Snowpack Summary

The main issue currently is the Dec.18 layer which is down 35-50 cm and sits on a crust/surface hoar combination at elevations below 2100 meters and on a facet/surface hoar combination at higher elevations. In places below 2100m there is a melt/freeze crust up to 10cm thick with surface hoar above. Wind slabs have been encountered in alpine areas.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported.. Over the last few days, many features starting to slab up with wind effect have been producing "whumpfs" over the dec 18th layer at treeline and above

Confidence

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain on Monday

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

The Dec 18 interface is down 35-50 cm and is producing easy to moderate results with field tests. There is likely enough load for human triggering to increase on this layer.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Wind effect on Friday has created small wind slabs in lee alpine terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 4th, 2015 4:00PM