Yukon

Small avalanches can have significant consequences if you are injured in these cold temperatures.

Avoid steep wind-loaded slopes.

Moderate

• Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.
• Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

No new avalanches have been reported in the last five days.

A (size 2) natural wind slab avalanche was reported on Dec 16th, failing on a layer of facets. Full details here.

With limited observations available this time of year, it’s a good idea to continually verify conditions and adjust your plans as you go. Use extra caution when it's this cold.

If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN)!

The upper snowpack is very wind-affected. Widespread sastrugi and hard wind slabs can be found extensively in the alpine, and down into the treeline. Only isolated sheltered areas still have some soft snow.

Cold temperatures continue to facet the mid and lower snowpack, which in turn is making the wind slab problem last longer than usual.

Total snowpack depths vary in the region, especially where they are affected by wind. On average, you can find depths of around 100 cm.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear skies. 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -33 °C.

Sunday
Mostly sunny. 40 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -33 °C.

Monday
Sunny. 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -34 °C.

Tuesday
Sunny. 20 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -31 °C. Possible temperature inversion forming in the alpine.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
• Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind-loaded snow.
• Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.