The wind has had limited affect on the surface snow over the last week. If the wind picks up, expect the likelihood of initiation of dry loose avalanches to increase and windslabs to build quickly. Keep this in consideration when making travel plans.
Unconsolidated surface snow overlies a strong midpack. Expect the likelihood of loose dry avalanches to increase if the wind picks up, particularly out of steep terrain.
This problem we believe is more specific to shallower areas of the snow pack. Avoiding thin areas will mitigate your exposure to this problem.
Some small loose dry avalanches out of steep terrain.
In an adjacent region there was evidence of a large deep avalanche off of Mount Lefroy North East face was observed on Jan 3rd that we believe to be 24-48 hours old.
25-45 cm unconsolidated snow makes up the surface of a 120-150 cm snowpack at treeline, and 140-175cm above treeline. The mid-pack is generally strong but a weak crust/facet layer may be near the ground. The distribution of this layer is specific to shallower areas. Conditions within the Little Yoho region are much better than areas further east in BYK. With the amount of snow available for transport, expect conditions to change quickly with any wind loading.
Tonight: Cloudy. 60 percent chance of flurries overnight. Wind up to 15 km/h. Low minus 12. Wind chill minus 13 this evening and minus 18
Saturday: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of flurries early in the morning then a mix of sun and cloud. Wind becoming west 20 km/h near noon. High minus 8. Wind chill near minus 17
Sunday: Flurries. High minus 6.
