Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 24th, 2022–Mar 25th, 2022

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon.

Evaluate your line for wind slabs and cornice exposure before committing to consequential terrain.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

Thursday night: A trace of snow. Up to 10 cm at Haines Pass. Light to moderate southeast wind. Alpine low around -8 °C.

Friday: Cloudy with flurries bringing a trace. Up to 5 cm at Haines Pass. Light to moderate southeast wind. Alpine high around -6 °C.

Saturday: Mostly sunny. Light southwest wind. Alpine high around -9 °C.

Sunday: Mostly sunny. Light west wind. Alpine high around -11 °C.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche activity has been minimal. A size 1.5 wind slab out of a steep couloir feature was the only report in the White Pass area on Thursday.

If you head out into the mountains, and you have photos to share, conditions to report on, or just some stoke about the good riding, consider making a post on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Around 50 cm of new and recent snow is settling and bonding well. Wind slabs can be found near ridge tops, below convexities and in steep or extreme terrain in the alpine.

A couple of sun crusts exist in the upper snowpack but none have been identified as layers of particular concern. The lower snowpack is thought to be well protected by the dense, wind-pressed layers above, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time.

Terrain and Travel

Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
Even small cornices may have enough mass to be destructive and deadly.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.