Yukoners are tough. And some will still get out into the mountains during this cold snap. Keep in mind that extreme cold temperatures increase the consequences of an avalanche involvement so it's a good time to choose terrain wisely.
Although the snowpack in the northern area of the Yukon Region is shallow, there is now enough snow in wind deposited terrain features to create avalanches.
Fresh snow was quickly picked up and distributed into wind slab at alpine and upper treeline elevations. Avoid wind loaded features during this time of continuous strong north winds.
No avalanches have been reported from these areas. This is likely due to the shallow snowpack limiting riding opportunities for the time being. If you find yourself in the Wheaton Valley, Powder Valley, or Paddy Peak areas, please submit a report to the Mountain Information Network.
The area received up to 10cm of very low density snow Thursday night as the warm and cold air masses collided. That new snow was quickly picked up by strong north winds and redistributed in pockets of wind slab in the alpine and upper treeline.
The snowpack for areas including the Wheaton Valley, Powder Valley, and Paddy Peak continue to be shallow and wind affected. At tree line, there is approximately 30cm of snow on the ground and at higher elevations the snow has been scoured to ground in exposed areas and deposited up to 125cm deep in others. It is in these more deeply deposited areas that avalanches are now possible.
Friday night
Clearing overnight. No new snow. North winds at 30km/h. Temperatures dropping to -27˚C.
Saturday to Monday
Cold and clear. North winds at 20km/h. Temperatures near -33˚C with the wind chill making it feel like -40˚C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
