Avalanche forecast

Little Yoho

Mar 7 – 8, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Thicker snowpack areas around the divide have a slightly better snowpack than our forecast regions to the east, but lots of uncertainty still exists in thinner spots where it may still be possible to trigger the deeper layers in the snowpack. Moderate terrain choice with limited overhead hazard is still the best way to manage this uncertainty.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Windslabs from last weeks storm have been buried by low density snow and are gradually becoming less reactive.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Three persistent weak layers formed in January are down 50-90 cm. The biggest concern is triggering these buried suncrusts on steep solar slopes, but weaker facets and isolated surface hoar can be found on the same interface on shaded aspects.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Weak facets and depth hoar are still present at the bottom of the snowpack which inspires little confidence. Be especially cautious in thin snowpack areas, which are likely areas for triggering.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed in this region on Sunday and Monday. Further to the east, in thinner snowpack areas, continued avalanche activity has occurred, keeping us suspect of all thin snowpack areas.

Snowpack Summary

Many alpine and exposed regions at treeline are wind effected with recent wind slabs that are slowly becoming less reactive. Steep solar slopes at treeline and below have a thin sun crust. The various Jan PWL interfaces of sun crusts, facets, and surface hoar are down 50-90 cm. The weaker Nov 16 basal facet layer is down 120-180 cm and is still present but not consistently reactive in test pits.

Weather Summary

A stable weather pattern continues with treeline highs of -8°C and overnight lows of -20°C. Winds will be calm to light from the W/SW. The skies will be mostly clear with some scattered clouds.

For a more detailed weather forecast, click here.

Regions covered