Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
As the storm ends Sunday and cold clear weather arrives, Lingering wind slabs at upper elevations will be the snowpack primary concern.
Weather Forecast
The moist Westerly flow will end Sunday morning as an arctic high moves into the forecast region. Sunday will be a transition day with partly cloudy skies as the cold Arctic air moves in. By Monday the high pressure system will bring clear skies, light winds and frigid temperatures down into the -30s.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 50cm of new snow has fallen in the past 3 days. Strong west winds have created fresh wind slabs at treeline and above. Areas to the west received the most snow. These wind slabs may release easily on the various firm surfaces underneath. The Jan 30th surface hoar/sun crust layer exists 30-50 cm below the surface and is currently unreactive.
Avalanche Summary
The forecast team had limited observations for Little Yoho Saturday. No new avalanche activity reported.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Consistent strong winds and snow accumulation over the past 3 days have developed wind slabs. These will be easy to trigger, especially the ones that are sitting on a firm surface underneath. Expect to find them in most leeward and drifted slopes.
- Watch for surface cracking and stiffer surface layers of snow.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Storm Slabs
With up to 50cm of new snow accumulation and warm temps, some areas with high snowfall amount may have storm slab development. We have limited observations of this problem and suspect it will be short lived as cold temps arrive Monday.
- Watch for fresh storm slabs on exposed lee slopes and open areas at all elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2