Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 20th, 2016 4:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada stephen holeczi, Avalanche Canada

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Little Yoho.

Below treeline elevations have gained strength due to cooler temperatures. At higher elevations, caution is still advised in bigger terrain where large avalanches are still possible to trigger.  SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

A benign weather pattern for the next few days.  Sunday will be slightly cooler with freezing levels to valley bottom and mainly light Westerly winds increasing later in the day. 

Snowpack Summary

The Jan 6 layer of surface hoar/facets is gaining strength in the region and is down 120cm at treeline , producing hard to no result in tests.  A layer down approx. 50cm (Feb 11) contains surface hoar in isolated locations at treeline producing moderate results.  Well settled snowpack overall.  Wind slabs formed in exposed alpine locations.

Avalanche Summary

2 wind slab avalanches were observed today on Mt. Field at 2300-2400m.  These were size 1.5 to 2 in un skiable terrain and occurred in the last  36 hours.  No other avalanches were observed today in this region.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations

Problems

Persistent Slabs

An icon showing Persistent Slabs

90-130 cm of snow overlies the Jan 6th layer of surface hoar, facets and sun crust.  This layer is gaining strength in the region but should be watched for at treeline and above. 

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Be mindful of cross loaded features and the lees of ridges where fresh windslabs 30-60 cm thick have recently formed. If triggered, there is potential to step down to the persistent weak layer.

  • If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 21st, 2016 4:00PM

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