Avalanche Forecast
Avalanche Bulletin - Little Yoho
The snowpack this year is complex with multiple weak layers. Avalanche control last week showed that these layers can be triggered in certain areas, but variable results make it difficult to forecast where. Conservative terrain selection is a must!
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Use caution in lee areas. Recent wind loading has created wind slabs.
- If triggered the wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slabs
What Elevation?
Which Slopes?
Chances of Avalanches?
Expected Size?
The Dec 15 layer is a concern mainly at treeline around Field, Emerald Lake and Little Yoho - this is a very specific band, although avalanches initiated could run into areas below treeline.
Travel and Terrain Advice
- Avoid open slopes and convex rolls at treeline where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity reported in this forecast region, however, a size 2 windslab was triggered by a skiier in the lake louise ski hill backcountry. This was in semicircular bowl (approximately 2400m NE aspect).
Snowpack Summary
Recent winds have developed windslabs on alpine and treeline lee slopes. In sheltered areas the upper snowpack has 30-50cm of soft slab over the Jan 6 surface hoar. The Dec. 15 surface hoar layer is still a concern and is 60-80 cm down and well preserved at treeline and below.
Weather Forecast
We are in the influence of a SW flow with a series of storms moving in off the coast. Expect light snow ~ 5 cm per day for the next three days. Temps will be cool in the -5 to -15 range and winds generally light to moderate from the SW.
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Recent snow and wind are have created new windslabs on lee slopes at alpine and treeline elevations. The winds have been from many different directions over the past few days and have formed these slabs on numerous aspects.