Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
It’s been weeks since a deep slab was seen in Little Yoho, but a weak snowpack persists in shallow areas - ski the thick, avoid the thin
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches were observed or reported in Little Yoho on Jan 13.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm of snow in the last week has been blown into slabs in the alpine and isolated treeline locations. The recent snow sits on a layer of facets and surface hoar in some locations. Moist snow up to 2400m on steep solar aspects. The mid-pack is generally strong; however, a weak facet layer can be found near the ground in shallow snowpack areas. At treeline, average snowpack depth ranges from 120 to 150 cm and overall is deeper and stronger than it is East of the divide.
Weather Summary
Seasonal temperatures Tuesday, with valley lows near -3°C and ridge temperatures around -5°C. Expect variable cloud cover, trace snow accumulations, and strong gusty NW winds.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent snow and extreme W to SW wind have developed slabs in lee alpine and isolated treeline terrain. These will be bigger in areas with more new snow and may run further than expected if they pick up facetted snow in steep gullied terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
The snowpack is generally deeper and, thus, stronger in the Little Yoho subregion than in most of the BYK forecast region. However, thin snowpack areas, such as windward and exposed terrain, may have weak basal facets at the base of the snowpack, as is commonly found further east.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5