Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Little Yoho.
We have separated this small zone from the rest of the Banff, Yoho and Kootenay forecast region because the snowpack is "stronger" in this area.
The storm snow from the last five days is upwards of 40cm, so watch for sluffing out of steep terrain.
A hint of wind will quickly develop windslabs.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported in this region for Jan 1st. We suspect a loose dry cycle up to size 2 has occurred with the last 24-36 hours, especially out of steep terrain.
Our field team on Dec 31st were near Emerald Lake observed Dry Loose avalanches up to size 2 running out of steep alpine terrain in the Emerald Basin. No other avalanche observations have been reported.
Snowpack Summary
20-40 cm unconsolidated storm snow has fallen over the past five days, with very little wind. This overlies a 100-120 cm snowpack with a strong mid-pack but a weak crust/facet layer near the ground. The distribution and strength of this layer varies, but conditions in the deeper snowpack of the Little Yoho region are better than areas further east in BYK. With the amount of snow available for transport, expect conditions to change quickly with any wind loading.
Weather Summary
Tonight: Periods of snow. Amount 2 cm. Wind east 20 km/h becoming light this evening. Low minus 14. Wind chill near minus 22.
Thursday: Mainly cloudy. 40 percent chance of flurries in the morning. Wind up to 15 km/h. High minus 10. Wind chill minus 22 in the morning and minus 17 in the afternoon.
Friday: Cloudy. High minus 9.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Dry
15-25 cm of snow in the past 24 hours has added to the storm snow, resulting in a lot of deep, low density snow that is sluffing easily in steep terrain.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Deep Persistent Slabs
A layer of weak facets adjacent to an October rain crust exists near the base of the snowpack and is now overlain by up to 120 cm of snow. This problem is not easily triggered, but the most likely locations are 30 to 45-degree, windswept, shallow snowpack areas - a shallow snowpack is a weak snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3