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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 22nd, 2025–Mar 23rd, 2025

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

Regions

Little Yoho.

The persistent slab problem is less of a concern in this subregion but the amount of serious avalanche activity in adjacent areas has been alarming.

Field observations remain limited, particularly in the alpine. Do not make assumptions. Confirm the snowpack is favorable before committing to serious terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed in Little Yoho Saturday.

On Wednesday, avalanche control on Mount Field and Dennis produced avalanches to size 2.5 on the persistent layer.

Over the past two weeks, many large avalanches have been seen in adjacent areas to the east of the divide. See the BYK bulletin for details.

Snowpack Summary

Expect surface crusts on solar aspects at treeline and below.

At treeline, 70-100 cm of snow overlies the Jan. 30 / Feb. 22 drought layers, which consist of 20-30 cm of weak faceted crystals. These layers have been reactive in tests and recent avalanches in adjacent areas.

In this thicker, western, snowpack region, the facet/depth hoar basal layer is less prominent than it is east of the divide but likely exists in thin areas.

Average snowpack depth at treeline is ~200 cm.

Weather Summary

Trace amounts of snow will accumulate overnight Saturday as west winds increase to moderate in the alpine. Treeline temperatures drop to near -10C.

Sunday, flurries continue as winds increase to the strong range and the freezing level approaches 1900m.

Watch for rising freezing levels into the week.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
  • Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.