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

Feb 21st, 2025–Feb 22nd, 2025

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

Regions

Little Yoho.

We’re on the brink of the first significant storm in a while. The avalanche hazard is expected to rise throughout the weekend, with the peak intensity expected on Sunday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A fatal avalanche that occurred south of Golden on Monday. A small windslab on a north aspect at 2300 m carried one person a long way (1000 m) down a steep, confined gully with many terrain obstacles.

No new avalanches were reported or observed in the Little Yoho region region Friday.

We are anticipating a wide spread avalanche cycle starting Saturday night with the incoming storm.

Snowpack Summary

Previous wide spread wind effect, surface faceting, isolated sun crust and spotty surface hoar growth up to 7mm has been observed on the snow surface. Beneath that, about 25cm of settled snow sits over the Jan 30 weak layer, with ageing wind slabs lingering in isolated areas. Specific wind-exposed terrain may also feature sastrugi. The mid and lower snowpack remains well-settled, with tree-line snow depths ranging from 120cm to 180cm.

Weather Summary

A Pacific frontal system is expected to reach the forecast region on Saturday. Snow accumulation is forecasted to range from 15 to 40 cm, depending on the weather model. The storm will peak in intensity on Sunday night. In addition to snow, freezing levels will rise to 2000m, with wind speeds at ridge crests reaching up to 100 km/h.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches.

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.