Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
Strong wind is creating wind slabs in lee areas in the alpine.
Weather Forecast
Cool temps and moderate to strong NW wind will persist over the next two days. Very little snow accumulation beyond Sunday afternoon.
Snowpack Summary
20-30cm of new snow over the last 28 hours with gusty SW winds has created wind slabs up to 50cm thick in lee areas above treeline. The new snow sits on a firm crust on solar aspects up to ridge crests and up to 2300m on N aspects. Below this the snow pack is well settled overall.
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches were observed or reported today.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs have formed in lee areas above treeline up to 50cm thick. These are reactive to skier traffic and have been failing naturally in some locations. Expect sluffing in any steep terrain as well.
- Be cautious of sluffing in steep terrain.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
There have been many reports of cornice chunks falling off of ridge crests which may be big enough a load to trigger an avalanche on the basal facets, or be enough mass to be a hazard themselves.
- Give cornices a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
- Cornices become weak with daytime heating, so travel early on exposed slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3