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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 23rd, 2016–Jan 24th, 2016

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

Regions

Little Yoho.

A significant avalanche cycle and results from explosive testing confirm that we have left the days of triple low behind us. Climbers and skiers need to take a conservative approach to terrain selection as we come out of this period of change.

Weather Forecast

A return to cloudy skies this afternoon promises to bring about 10 cm of snow with light west winds. Temperatures will return to -10C values at valley bottom for the period with mainly cloudy skies and possibly a few flurries.

Snowpack Summary

Strong S and SW winds with up to 10 cm of snow Friday produced soft slabs at Alpine and Treeline elevations as well as fragile cornice growth . Below treeline rain fell up to 2000m. There is now 20 to 25 cm over weak faceted snow in the upper snowpack and while the mid and lower pack are supportive in thick areas, thin areas are faceted out.

Avalanche Summary

Following the storm Friday a natural avalanche cycle resulting from the strong SW winds was evident today. Explosive control in Yoho today confirms that soft slabs can be triggered 20 to 40 cm deep in the alpine and treeline to size 2.5 and that loose dry avalanches continue to run a surprising distance at all elevations up to size 2.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.