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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 16th, 2025–Jan 17th, 2025
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Little Yoho.

Mt. Field, Mt. Stephen, and Mt. Dennis avalanche closure zones are CLOSED on Friday, January 17th.

New windslab development in the alpine down into treeline and possibly below with strong to extreme SW wind on Thursday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Thursday morning, several size 2 wind-triggered slabs and loose dry avalanches were observed in Little Yoho on Mt. Stephen and Mount Field. Avalanche control on Mt Bosworth produced one size 2.5 sliding on the deep persistent layer.

Snowpack Summary

10 cm new today with strong to extreme SW - W winds created new wind slabs at all elevations in terrain exposed to the wind. The upper pack may have a thin crust under the new snow on solar aspects and a surface hoar/facet interface under last week's snow, but no avalanches observed on this layer yet. The mid-pack is generally strong; however, a weak facet layer can be found near the ground in shallow snowpack areas. At treeline, average snowpack depth ranges from 120 to 150 cm.

Weather Summary

On Friday, we will see cooling temperatures (-14C) and easing winds as arctic air moves in for the weekend. Saturday temperatures will be in the -20C range with sunny skies and light NW wind

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Strong to extreme winds with light flurries created fresh reactive windslabs 10-30 cm thick in alpine lees. Winds were observed to be transporting snow below treeline. It's possible windslabs exist in isolated slopes that are open and exposed to wind below treeline.

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

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2

Deep Persistent Slabs

The snowpack is generally deeper and, thus, stronger in the Little Yoho subregion than in most of the BYK forecast region. However, thin snowpack areas, such as windward and exposed terrain, will have weak basal facets at the base of the snowpack.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3