Avalanche forecast

Yukon

Mar 6 – 7, 2022Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Up to 10 cm new snow might fall overnight Saturday to Sunday. Strong wind from the southwest switching to northwest during the day on Sunday will build fresh wind slabs. Pay attention to changing wind direction during the day and when transitioning into wind affected terrain. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Up to 10 cm new snow will fall overnight Saturday into Sunday with strong southwest wind. During the day on Sunday the wind will switch to west and then northwest wind staying strong. The wind will redistribute the new snow and where available the recent low density snow, forming fresh wind slabs.

    Fresh wind slabs will be found below ridge crests and in lee terrain features. Due to the strong wind, slabs might be found farther down slope than expected. 

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

Saturday night: Mainly cloudy, up to 5 cm snow, strong southwest wind, alpine temperature -1 °C, freezing level at 500 m with a possible above freezing layer around 1000 m. 

Sunday: Mix of sun and clouds, up to 5 cm snow in the early morning hours, strong westerly wind, alpine high -3 °C, freezing level around 400 m.

Monday: Mainly sunny with some clouds, trace of new snow, moderate northeast wind, alpine temperature -10 °C, freezing level at valley bottom.

Tuesday: Sunny, moderate north wind, alpine temperature -10 °C, freezing level at valley bottom. 

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, skiers were surprised by wind slab avalanches on north and northeast aspects in the White Pass area. The slabs were about 20 cm thick and the avalanches reached up to size 2.

Snowpack Summary

15-30 cm of low density snow are sitting on old firm surfaces. On some north aspects in the alpine, the wind has transformed the snow into firmer wind slab. The bond between the recent snow and the old firm surfaces continues to improve daily. On steep, south aspects at treeline and below, there is potential for the existence of a thin sun crust. 

The lower snowpack is well bridged, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

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