The snowpack in Little Yoho is significantly better than the shallower snowpack areas to the east. Less solar input is expected Friday, but watch locally for its effects.
A weaker freeze is expected below treeline to start the day.
Some ski hills are reporting smaller wind slabs, but we are uncertain as to how prevalent these are in Little Yoho due to a lack of field observations. Strong winds Thursday night and light snow may add to any existing ones.
Below the recent snow, a 90-150 cm slab sits on the Jan 30 facet layer. On all but high north aspects, recent sun crusts and the March 27 rain crust cap this slab, providing some security. Continue to use caution in thinner, high areas or when these crusts are weak or breaking down with daytime heat.
Less solar input is expected Friday, but watch locally for its effects as hazard can change quickly. A weaker freeze is expected down low on Friday AM.
No new avalanches were observed on Thursday.
Surface crusts are found in most locations except north-facing alpine zones. The integrity of the snowpack is based mostly upon the strength of the surface crust when it refreezes overnight (or doesn't). In areas with no surface crust, where the snow is dry and the ski conditions are best, the snowpack is generally strong, but a mid-pack layer of facets (Jan 30) remains the main buried weak layer of concern.
3-5cm of snow is expected Thursday night into Friday AM with strong SW winds, diminishing over the day. Freezing levels are expected to rise to 2000m with mainly cloudy skies. See table for more details.
