Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Haines Pass, Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
Be cautious as you transition into wind effected terrain.
If you notice signs of instability like shooting cracks. head to non-wind effected terrain.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
On Saturday, there were reports of wind slab avalanches up to size 1.5 on north-facing aspects at treeline in White Pass.
No other avalanche activity has been reported in recent days. If you do see an avalanche, please consider posting a MIN report.
Snowpack Summary
15-25 cm of recent snow, with greater amounts in western White Pass, is being redistributed by primarily southerly winds.
Reports indicate that eastern areas of White Pass have a shallower, weaker snowpack. A buried layer of surface hoar or a hard crust, 30 to 50 cm deep, has produced recent cracking, whumpfs, and remains reactive in tests.
A December crust with facets sits 100 to 150 cm deep on all aspects up to 1750 m. This layer has not shown recent activity or significant test results.
Snow depth ranges from 100 cm at highway elevations to over 300 cm in the alpine.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 10 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Monday
Cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of snow. 20 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 0 to 3 cm of snow 10 to 30 km/h southeast wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 30 km/h southeast wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs will be most reactivity where they sit over facets or surface hoar.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
