Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
New wind slabs need time to settle and bond.
Keep in mind a buried weak layer exists and there is the potential for large avalanches.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A few small and large (size 1 to 2) natural avalanches were reported on Monday on northeast alpine slopes.
It has been a while since a persistent slab avalanche has been reported, however, with new load (snow) on the weak layer it is uncertain if it will become active again. Test results and whumpfing indicate the layer is weak and unstable.
Snowpack Summary
10 to 20 cm of new snow fell on Monday and Tuesday. Expect lesser amounts of new snow the further east you go. It came with strong southwest wind which built slabs on lee slopes and scoured exposed areas back to old, hard layers.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 50 to 100 cm deep. This layer exists on all aspects up to around 1700 m.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy with 1 to 2 cm of snow. 10 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and clouds with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10°C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and clouds with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 15 km/h south then north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.
Friday
A mix of sun and clouds. 20 to 60 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -22 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
The early December weak layer may still be triggered in shallow, thin-to-thick areas, or with large loads like a cornice or avalanche.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Wind Slabs
Strong wind and new snow have built slabs in lee terrain features. Avoid wind loaded spots.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2