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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 6th, 2017–Feb 7th, 2017

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Regions

Little Yoho.

Lots of uncertainty in the snowpack right now as this recent storm has left less snow then our neighbors to the east, but we are right on the edge. Slight changes will trigger an avalanche cycle. Ice climbers best avoid gullies right now.

Weather Forecast

This storm is ending on Monday night. Tuesday will remain cold with mostly light NE winds except at higher elevations where the winds will be stronger (brrr). Temperatures will remain in the -20 range for Tuesday. The upper level flow shifts back to SW later this week, and Thursday we will see the start of warming, winds and more precipitation

Snowpack Summary

The past 3-day storm has deposited 10 cm in Field and 25 cm at higher elevations. Strong winds from the Yoho Blow have been ripping through the Kicking Horse Pass, but outside this area the winds have generally been light except at the higher elevations. Overall a weak snowpack exists, and with several weak layer buried deep in the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed today, but our observations were limited.

Confidence

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.