Windslabs are the main problem to watch out for. Use extra caution around ridgetops, especially if you are seeing shooting cracks, or signs of recent avalanches.
Expect wind slabs on all aspects. While slabs are expected to be small, they may be reactive to human triggers as they have formed over a crust on south facing slopes and on hard surfaces elsewhere.
Watch for signs of instability, like shooting cracks or recent avalanches. Avoid steep, unsupported slopes that sound drum-like or hollow.
TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. 5-10 cm of snow expected. Strong southwest ridgetop winds. Alpine temperature around -5 °C.
WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy. 0-10 cm of snow expected. Moderate to strong southeast ridgetop winds. Freezing levels rise as high as 900m. Alpine high around -3 °C.
THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. 0-10 cm of snow expected. Moderate south ridgetop winds. Alpine high around -3 °C.
FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. 0-10 cm of snow expected. Moderate southeast ridgetop winds. Alpine high around -3 °C.
No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday before 4 pm.
Over the weekend, avalanches to size 1 were observed along the Klondike Highway corridor on south and east aspects. Sensitive wind slabs to size 1.5 were reported in the White Pass area, from the switch to northwest winds.
If you head out into the mountains, please let us know what you see on the Mountain Information Network.
30-40 cm of recent snowfall sits over a wind pressed snowpack. Recent winds have varied from southwest to northwest, and redistributed this snow into wind slabs on all aspects in wind exposed areas. On steep, south facing terrain wind slabs may sit over a crust, which is expected to bond slowly. At lower elevations, where the wind has been calmer, expect the surface snow to be less slabby.
A secondary crust is buried 40-60cm deep on south facing terrain. This layer has not shown avalanche activity within the last week.
The lower snowpack is thought to be well protected by the dense layers above, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time.
