Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
Be suspect of small, new wind slabs at upper elevations from previous strong winds. The loose facets will continue to be a problem in confined features and terrain traps if initiated. SH
Weather Forecast
Temperatures will cool slightly for the next few days with little in the way of snow and NW winds staying mainly light. The next system with snow looks to be Saturday .
Snowpack Summary
In general there is 10-15 cm over the Jan 6 combination of surface hoar, facets and sun crust depending on aspect and elevation. Moderate to strong winds have formed small wind slabs in the alpine and can be found on most aspects. The snowpack is facetting but still supportive in this region where over a meter.
Avalanche Summary
A 1.5 on a South aspect over sun crust was reported in the Healy Paths near Sunshine yesterday. This is similar to other reports over the last few days in Little Yoho and the Banff region in Kootenay. As well, facet avalanches in extreme terrain are running far when initiated at all elevations.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Loose Dry
The new snow and surface facets will sluff easily in very steep terrain. Skiers remember to manage the sluffs, and ice climbers watch you don't get knocked off your feet.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
New snow overnight with mod-strong west wind has produced soft windslabs in the alpine. Typically they dissipate once significantly below ridge crests.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2