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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 5th, 2022–Mar 6th, 2022

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

Regions

Yukon.

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. 

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.

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.