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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 22nd, 2017–Feb 23rd, 2017

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

Regions

Little Yoho.

Current conditions are some of the most dangerous for backcountry travelers. Natural avalanches are unlikely; thus the problem is not obvious - but human triggered avalanches are likely, and happening daily. Keep a wide margin of safety . . .

Weather Forecast

Cool temperatures, flurries and a mix of sun and cloud are forecast. This should slowly moderate the snowpack.

Snowpack Summary

Yoho has a much deeper snowpack than neighbouring areas. There is 250 cm at treeline and this has reduced the temperature gradient and helped facilitate rounding. The main weakness is at the Storm interface down 30-50 cm. The slab sits on large stellars and old rounding facets.

Avalanche Summary

One older avalanche was noted today on a Southerly aspect in the Northern corner of Little Yoho. Neighbouring areas are reporting skier triggered avalanches.

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.