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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 21st, 2022–Jan 22nd, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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.
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.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/links/goto_e.asp?destination=http://www.avalanche.ca/spaw/2022-01-20-spaw

Steep solar aspects could see increase natural avalanche activity this weekend as clear skies and warmer temps heat southerly aspects.

Weather Forecast

A ridge of high pressure over the forecast region will bring clear skies this weekend. Winds at ridge crest will gradually increase late Saturday, with values reaching strong to extreme by Sunday. Freezing levels will stay near valley bottom this weekend.

Snowpack Summary

Recent wind and new snow have created fresh wind slabs in the alpine and some tree-line areas. The new snow overlie facets in many places resulting in wide propagations in recent avalanches. The Dec. 2 crust and facets are generally 100-150cm deep producing hard to no results. Snow depth at tree-line is around 200-250 cm.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported Friday. Avalanche control in Yoho Tuesday produced slabs with every shot. Most were failing on a windslab or facet layer 40-60cm deep and then entraining facets in the track. One stepped down to the November facets ~ 180 cm deep.

Confidence

Problems

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.

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.