Avalanche Forecast

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

MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light snowfall, trace accumulation, 10 to 20 km/h north wind, alpine temperature -15 C.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy, 40 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -20 C.

WEDNESDAY: Clear skies, 40 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -22 C.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy, 20 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -19 C.

No avalanches were reported over the weekend.

Looking forward, new wind slabs may form with sustained northeast wind. These slabs could be triggered by riders and perhaps naturally as the wind continue to load starting zones.

In sheltered terrain, soft and consolidated snow may be found. In exposed terrain, a wind-affected snow surface prevails. Wind affected snow varies from wind-pressed snow to hard and thick wind slabs, which generally hardens with elevation.

A buried weak layer of surface hoar may still be found around 90 cm deep. It was found around Log Cabin and also in Powder Valley (see here). Avalanche activity on this layer hasn't been reported since the first week of January.

The lower snowpack is strong around White Pass, but a thinner and weaker snowpack structure is expected inland, such as in the Wheaton Valley and the south Klondike.

• Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
• Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
• Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
• Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.