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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 11th, 2021–Jan 13th, 2021

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

Regions

Yukon.

Some new snow and sustained wind has the potential of forming new wind slabs in exposed terrain. The best riding is likely found around sheltered treeline.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 20 to 30 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -5 C.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, 20 to 30 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -5 C.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C.

THURSDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 20 km/h southeast wind, alpine temperature -7 C.

Avalanche Summary

Most reports on the weekend indicated minimal avalanche concern across the region. However, the possibility remains of triggering avalanches as snow continues to accumulate with increasing wind in the coming days.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 to 20 cm of snow accumulated over the weekend, along with light to moderate southwest wind. Reports indicate that the snow surface is generally soft, particularly in sheltered areas around treeline, with areas of wind-affected snow in exposed alpine. These conditions are expected to continue for the coming days, with small amounts of new snow and more light to moderate south to southwest wind.

Around Log Cabin, around 40 cm of snow may overlie a layer of surface hoar. This layer was the culprit of avalanche activity last week. This layer has not been reported elsewhere in the region.

A buried crust from early December can be found 60-100 cm below the surface, but most reports suggest the snow is well-bonded to it.

The lower snowpack is strong around White Pass, but there is potential for a generally thinner and weaker snowpack structure to exist in inland areas, such as the Wheaton Valley. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Sheltered slopes at lower elevations will offer the best riding.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

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.