Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 13th, 2017 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Cornices and Storm Slabs.
snow safety,
Avalanche Canada
Good ski quality at upper elevations. The deeper facets could still be triggered by a cornice or from an unlucky thin spot, so limit overhead exposure and ease into bigger terrain. SH
Summary
Weather Forecast
Snow tapering for Friday, with freezing levels down to valley bottom overnight, and up to 1800m in the afternoon. Winds will be mainly light and skies mainly cloudy. A cooling trend is expected through the weekend.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 40cm of snow has fallen in the last few days above 2000m, likely forming isolated storm slabs in the alpine. On solar aspects, this snow is sitting over various sun crusts into the alpine. The lower elevation snowpack has been getting moist in the PM There are persistent facets in the region, but the snowpack is stronger overall.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed or reported on Thursday, but field teams were not in the Little Yoho area.
Confidence
Problems
Persistent Slabs
The snowpack is gaining strength, however the facets deeper in the snowpack remain a concern in thin alpine areas and where a cornice could trigger the slope. These facets do exist in isolated treeline areas, but are not currently a problem.
- Choose the deepest and strongest snowpack areas on your run.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger the deep persistent slab.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
April is cornice failure season, and this is the biggest concern for triggering deeper layers until we get some real spring heat. Mature cornices can break much further back than you expect, so give them a wide margin when traveling on ridges.
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
- Pay attention to overhead hazards like cornices which could trigger slabs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Storm Slabs
These will be small and size and will not last long as an avalanche problem, but watch for their formation around alpine terrain traps, or over large cliffs. On solar aspects these may be sitting over a sun crust.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 14th, 2017 4:00PM
