Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 3rd, 2021–Jan 4th, 2021

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

Regions

Little Yoho.

Natural avalanche activity is expected to slow down but skier triggering of new wind slabs in steep terrain will be likely. Look for ski terrain that is sheltered from the wind and avoid exposure to steep wind loaded areas until the winds ease.

Weather Forecast

A few cm's of new snow are forecast for each of the next few days. Alpine winds will remain in the strong range out of the W and SW. Slightly warmer temperatures are expected Monday and a cooler day again on Tuesday.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of new snow at treeline. Extensive wind effect in open areas at treeline and in the alpine. Wind slabs and new cornices are forming. The Dec 13 and Dec 7 sun crust/surface hoar/facet layers are down ~ 50cm and ~80 cm respectively. The decomposing Nov crust/facets sits at the bottom of the snowpack. Height of snow at tree line is 130-200cm.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous explosive controlled small wind slab avalanches were reported by the local ski hills at all elevations. One skier remote size 2 avalanche was reported on a steep convex roll at treeline below Wawa Ridge near Sunshine Village. Limited observations in the alpine due to poor visibility.

Confidence

Timing, track, or intensity of incoming weather system is uncertain

Problems

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.