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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 20th, 2021–Feb 22nd, 2021

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

Regions

Yukon.

There is uncertainty with how much snow is forecast to fall Saturday night and Sunday. Expect avalanche danger to rise through the day Sunday as snow accumulates and wind blows moderate to strong from the southwest.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY Night: Cloudy with flurries, accumulation 5-10 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine temperature -8 C.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5-10 cm, moderate to strong southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C.

MONDAY: Mainly cloudy with flurries, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, light west wind, alpine temperature -8 C.

TUESDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, light southwest wind, alpine temperature -13 C.

Avalanche Summary

Most recent reports show natural and skier triggered wind slab avalanches to size 1 and 1.5 in the alpine and treeline on Saturday as outlined in this MIN post here.

Snowpack Summary

Expect stormy conditions through the end of the weekend. The snow is forecast to fall with strong southerly wind, which should rapidly form new wind slabs in exposed terrain. As the snow accumulates widespread storm and wind slabs are expected to develop. The snow will overlie heavily wind affected and faceted surfaces in exposed terrain and perhaps a weak layer of surface hoar in sheltered areas, as found here.

The lower snowpack is strong around White Pass, but inland areas like the Wheaton Valley likely have a thinner and weaker structure.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for avalanche hazard to increase throughout the day.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.

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.