Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 23rd, 2019 4:00PM

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

stephen holeczi, Parks Canada

Little Yoho.

There is great variability in Little Yoho. Many thick snowpack areas have no weak layers of concern, but thinner areas have facets near the ground. Its worth digging down to see what your dealing with.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Highs of -2C for Thursday at valley bottom and -8C at 3000m. Winds will increase to strong at 3000m switching to NW. Very little snow is expected over the next 2 days (only a few cm).

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of snow sits over previous surfaces. Thin wind slabs can be found in alpine lee areas from previous strong winds. Of greatest concern are the weak facets and depth hoar at the base of the snowpack. In Little Yoho these are not as prevalent as E of the divide due to deeper snow depths, but are still well developed in thin snowpack areas.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

In Little Yoho, areas that have a thin snowpack will have weaker basal facets that can still be triggered. Check locally for snowpack depths as thicker areas do not have the same problem.

Be aware of the potential for full depth avalanches due to weak layers at the base of the snowpack.Be aware of the potential for wide propagations which could result in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Wind Slabs

Thin wind slabs are still capable of producing smaller avalanches. Strong winds Thursday may add to their development, but should only be a concern for the next few days.

Aspects: North, North East, East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 24th, 2019 4:00PM