Yukon

A tricky persistent weak layer is keeping the avalanche hazard elevated in the alpine and will be slow to change.

The layer has been most reactive in sheltered north and northeast facing alpine terrain.

A couple of large (size 2-3) persistent slab, human-triggered and natural avalanches have been reported within the last 7 days. Avalanches have occurred near ridgetops in north-to-northeast alpine terrain. These avalanches have shown an impressive capability to propagate across large distances. Here is a link to the most recent human-triggered size 3 avalanche.

If you are out in the backcountry please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report.

5 cm of recent snow is slowly improving riding conditions. It is resting on a variety of wind-affected surfaces and crusts with small surface hoar in places in the alpine. This new layer should be monitored closely moving forward as new snow arrives early next week.

A persistent weak layer of surface hoar and/or facets is 50-80 cm deep and exists in north facing alpine features, creating a number of scary human-triggered avalanches.

Below roughly 1700 m a widespread 5-10 cm, melt-freeze crust is present.

Friday night

Cloudy. Flurries possible. Temperature -12 C overnight. Light southwest wind.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy. Possible flurries. Temperature rising to -9 C in the afternoon. Wind 20 km/h from the southwest.

Mostly cloudy. 2cm of snow. Temperature -5C. Wind 40-50 km/h from the southwest.

Mostly cloudy. 2 cm of snow. Temperature -4. Wind 50 km/h from the southwest.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• In times of uncertainty conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
• Use caution on large alpine slopes, especially around thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilities.
• Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
• Persistent slabs have potential to pull back to lower angle terrain.