Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 14th, 2018–Jan 15th, 2018

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

Alpine

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable

Treeline

3: Considerable

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable

Below Treeline

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate

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

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Little Yoho.

This is a good time to be conservative in your terrain choices and minimize exposure to avalanche terrain. The chances of human triggered avalanches will increase as temperatures rise.

Weather Forecast

A temperature inversion will continue through the forecast region, with alpine temperatures above freezing through Monday into Tuesday. Skies will remain relatively clear and winds light. Expect unusually strong solar outputs for this time of the year on South and West aspects Monday and Tuesday afternoon.

Snowpack Summary

Warm alpine temperatures have moisten the upper snowpack on steep solar aspects. There is 40-65 cm over the Dec.15 persistent weak layer of surface hoar at treeline. This is becoming reactive to skiers and producing easy to moderate test results as shown in this video from Mt Field. Below this is a faceted but generally supportive snow pack.

Avalanche Summary

Snowballing observed around rock features on steep solar aspects Sunday afternoon. No new avalanche activity observed. A field team Saturday traveling up Mt Field noticed lots of whumphing and cracking in open glades at treeline, this activity was failing on the Dec.15 persistent weak layer.

Confidence

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

There is a widespread weak layer of surface hoar from Dec 15th down 40-60 cm with a stiff enough slab over it to start producing avalanches. Be very careful and travel conservatively even if you observe no avalanches.

Watch for whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 3

Wind Slabs

Watch for the changing feel of the snow under your feet and be wary of areas with denser surface snow over weaker snow.

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.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2