Avalanche forecast

Yukon

Jan 9 – 10, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Avalanche danger will increase throughout the day.

Choose small low angle slopes and be prepared to dial back your objectives.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    A layer of facets over a crust formed in early December could produce large avalanches if triggered.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Storm and wind slabs will increase in size and sensitivity throughout the day. The most reactive slabs will be on leeward slopes.

    These slabs may step down to the weak layer from early December.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Our field team remotely triggered a large (size 2) storm slab that stepped down to the persistent weak layer on Tuesday by the Fraser Chutes. They also experienced signs of instability like whumphing and shooting cracks in many steeper wind loaded pockets. Check out their MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

By the end of the day on Thursday an additional 30 cm of snow may have fallen bringing recent storm totals to around 60 cm. This storm snow overlies a layer of facets. strong southerly winds will form deeper deposits on northerly aspects.

A weak layer of facets over a crust, from early December, can be found down 60 to 90 cm. This layer likely extends up to 1700 m. The rest of the mid pack is not concerning.

Snowpack depths range from about 100 to 180 cm.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 10 to 30 cm of snow. 40 to 70 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with around 5 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of snow possible. 50 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use increased caution at all elevations. Storm snow is forming touchy slabs.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

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