Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 29th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Persistent Slabs.
snow safety,
There is still a lot of uncertainty around the deeper facets in the snowpack. It is very difficult to assess slopes with these types of layers. Your terrain choices will be the best risk management
Summary
Weather Forecast
The ridge of high pressure will break down Sunday as a westerly low move into the forecast region. This low pressure system will bring 10 to 20cm of snow accumulation. By Monday evening an Arctic cold front will cool things off dropping overnight lows down into the -30s.
Snowpack Summary
Wind effect and wind slabs in the alpine and exposed tree-line areas and suncrust on steep south facing terrain. In sheltered areas, 20-40 cm of soft snow overlies facets and is good skiing. Facets and a weak mid-pack remain the dominant concern and the Dec 2 crust is down 100-150 cm and producing hard test results in most of Yoho.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches observed or reported Saturday. Over the past week we have observed a few large avalanches to size 3 on the persistent weak layer. These avalanches were initiated by cornice fall triggering the slop below.
Confidence
Problems
Wind Slabs
Recent winds have created windslabs in the alpine and some treeline locations. Older slabs may still be reactive where they overly facets. New wind slabs can be expected to be very thin and only in immediate lees.
- Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Persistent Slabs
This represents the Dec. 2nd crust/ facet layer (treeline and below) and layers of faceted snow that were formed during the late December cold snap (all elevations). BTL concern likely only for thinner snowpack areas such as Mt. Stephen and Dennis.
- Forecasters are operating with alot of uncertainty at this time.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 30th, 2022 4:00PM
