Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
Explosive control today had mixed results but many large destructive avalanches were triggered. Conditions remain tricky - it's a good time to minimize your exposure to avalanche terrain
Weather Forecast
The freezing level is expected to rise to 1900m again tomorrow. Increasing cloudiness towards the end of the day. Alpine wind is expected to increase to roughly 50km an hour from the West toward the end of the day as well.
Snowpack Summary
50-100 cm of snow overlies the January 6th weak layer of surface hoar, facets and sun crust and recent natural and explosive triggered avalanche activity indicates this layer is still reactive. Extensive wind effect exists in the alpine and at treeline and recent warm temperatures have created suncrusts on southeast through west aspects.
Avalanche Summary
Several size 2-3 avalanches were triggered with explosive control in Yoho Park today. These were all on solar aspects and started as dry slabs then entrained loose wet snow and finished as slow moving wet avalanches. Many triggered slabs lower in the tracks indicating the Jan 6th persistent slab problem is still reactive.
Confidence
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
Many explosive triggered avalanches today throughout Banff, Yoho and Kootenay stepped down to this layer resulting in large destructive avalanches. Avalanche terrain that has not yet slid should be suspect.
- Watch for signs of instability such as whumpfing, or cracking.
- Avoid areas with overhead hazard.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3
Loose Wet
Loose wet activity will be less active than on Tuesday, but with freezing levels still forecast to rise to ~2000m it is still a good idea to stay out of steep south facing terrain and rock gullies with overhead exposure.
- Avoid ice climbs exposed to steep rocky terrain on solar aspects during the middle of the day.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
Extensive wind effect exists in ALP and TL terrain. These slabs should be settling out with warm temperatures, but are still reactive and if triggered may step down to the deeper Jan. 6th layer.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 3