Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
Extra caution for ice climbers on Mt Stephen. There have been reports of wind slabs on the approaches to these climbs.
Weather Forecast
A mix of sun and cloud for Wednesday. Temperatures will moderate somewhat with day time highs in the alpine reaching -14. Winds will be light to moderate from the north. Thursday may bring some isolated flurries along the divide.
Snowpack Summary
The storm snow from last week has settled and tops a 100-150 cm snowpack at tree line. In areas with a thinner snowpack the mid pack facets exist and are quite weak. In these areas the main issue is wind slabs forming a cohesive slab over the facets with potential for larger propagations. Thicker snowpack areas have few weaknesses in the snowpack.
Avalanche Summary
No new natural avalanches reported today, however a field trip in the Lake Louise area showed numerous avalanches up to size 2.5 from the past four days. These mostly initiated as windslabs and then stepped down into the weak facet layer below. Of note were four avalanches up to Class 2.5 in the Corral Slide Paths adjacent to Lake Louise Ski Resort
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs exist in alpine and some treeline locations. Watch for these wind slabs as you transition into alpine terrain.
- If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
In areas with less than 150cm of snow the weak mid pack facets from early December remain. This is a concern wherever a cohesive slab of recent snow sits on top of this weakness. Wind loaded areas are the primary concern.
- Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, and shooting cracks.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 3