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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 28th, 2022–Jan 29th, 2022
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Little Yoho.

There is still a lot of uncertainty around the deeper facets in the snowpack. It is very difficult to assess slopes with these types of layers. Your terrain choices will be the best risk management.

Weather Forecast

For Saturday and Sunday, temperatures will range from -10C to -5C and winds will remain strong from the West. No snow is expected until Sunday night when an Arctic cold front moves down the Rockies dropping temperatures as we head into next week.

Snowpack Summary

Wind effect and wind slabs in the alpine and exposed tree-line areas and suncrust on steep south facing terrain. In sheltered areas, 20-40 cm of soft snow overlies facets and is good skiing. Facets and a weak mid-pack remain the dominant concern and the Dec 2 crust is down 100-150 cm and producing hard test results in most of Yoho.

Avalanche Summary

Skiers triggered a cornice that triggered a size 3 avalanche on the east face of Mt. Carnarvon (above Hamilton Lakes in Yoho Park) on Tuesday. This stepped down to a deeper persistent layer, which illustrates that big triggers or "hitting the sweet spot" can still produce large avalanches. Nothing new reported on Thursday.

Confidence

Due to the number and quality of field observations

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Recent winds have created windslabs in the alpine and some treeline locations. Older slabs may still be reactive where they overly facets. New wind slabs can be expected to be very thin and only in immediate lees.

  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Persistent Slabs

This represents the Dec. 2nd crust/ facet layer (treeline and below) and layers of faceted snow that were formed during the late December cold snap (all elevations). BTL concern likely only for thinner snowpack areas such as Mt. Stephen and Dennis.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Forecasters are operating with alot of uncertainty at this time.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 3