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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 23rd, 2017–Mar 24th, 2017

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Little Yoho.

Although natural activity is tapering, the snowpack is still structurally weak and many slopes are ripe for triggering with the right load. Ice climbers should be aware of whether they are exposed to alpine terrain above them

Weather Forecast

Southwest flow continues with flurries expected on Friday night, possible accumulations of 5-8 cm by Saturday. Seasonal temperatures, expect freezing levels to reach about 1600 meters during the day with treeline temperature from -5 to -8. Winds will remain moderate from the southwest.

Snowpack Summary

100cm of dense, rounded snow comprises the upper half of the snowpack and sits on a variety of different foundations depending on location. In shallow areas (eg: Field ice climbs) the base is weak depth hoar. In deeper areas (eg: Little Yoho Valley), the base is rounded and stronger. Shears persist in the deep facets, and within the storm snow.

Avalanche Summary

Natural avalanche activity has been slowly tapering over the last few days although we have still seen large avalanches running to valley bottom most days! Today, in Little Yoho, there were no  new avalanches seen or reported, although a size 2.5 avalanche initiated by a cornice fall was reported near Bow Summit.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.