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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 30th, 2022–Mar 31st, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon.

Newly formed wind slabs are expected to be touchy on Thursday and cornices are expected to remain weak. 

Use extra caution around steep sun-exposed slopes during the heat of the day; wet loose avalanches are expected. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack. Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Unsettled conditions are expected for Thursday before a weak storm system arrives on Friday. 

Wednesday night: Mainly cloudy with lingering flurries, moderate W winds, low around -6 °C at 1100 m.

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with a chance of isolated flurries, light to moderate SW winds, high around -3 °C at 1100 m.

Friday: Light snowfall up to 10 cm, moderate S winds, high around -2 °C at 1100 m.

Saturday: Periods of light snowfall around 5 cm, moderate to strong SE winds, high around -3 °C at 1100 m.

Avalanche Summary

An early report from Wednesday includes several dry loose avalanches up to size 1.5. The new snow is reported to have a poor bond to the old, hard surface. 

On Tuesday, some low elevation glide slab activity was observed from smooth rock slabs during the heat of the day. 

On Monday, two large natural cornice falls were observed. They did not pull a slab on the slope below but the debris from the cornice itself would have been very destructive. 

Snowpack Summary

Recent observations suggest the snow surface remains dry above around 1100 m. A crust is expected to form Wednesday night below this elevation. On solar aspects, there are multiple sun crusts in the upper snowpack. Wind distribution of the new storm snow was observed on Wednesday and wind slabs are expected to be touchy on Thursday, especially where they overlie a firm surface. Large cornices were reported at beginning of the week which may remain fragile with the recent mild temperatures. 

The middle of the snowpack is reported to be strong and well settled while the lower snowpack near the ground is reported to be faceted. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Minimize exposure to sun-exposed slopes when the solar radiation is strong.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.