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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 9th, 2022–Dec 10th, 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.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon, Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West.

Approach wind-loaded features with caution and watch for reverse and cross-loading. Northerly winds have created reactive wind slabs.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A natural wind slab avalanche, size 1.5, was observed at White Pass, east of Big Kahuna, in steep, rocky terrain on Thursday. For more details check out the MIN report!

If you head out in the backcountry please support your community by submitting a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

Moderate northerly winds and 20 cm of snow are quickly redistributing snow into touchy wind slab pockets in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. Windslabs overlie hard wind-affected surfaces. A faceting crust is found down 20-50 cm on solar aspects but has not been reactive in tests. The lower snowpack consists of soft, sugary facets and a crust near ground level.

Treeline averages 80 cm of snow. Up to 100 cm of snow is found in the alpine however winds have made distribution variable. Early-season hazards exist at treeline and below such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with scattered flurries, 2 cm accumulation, northerly ridge winds 20 - 30 km/h, temperatures drop to -15 at 1500 m.

Saturday

Mainly sunny with a few clouds in the morning. Northerly ridge winds 20 km/h, temperatures continue dropping to -18 at 1500 m.

Sunday

Clear skies in the morning with increasing clouds in the afternoon. Ridge winds southerly 20 - 40 km/h, temperatures rising to - 16 at 1500m.

Monday

Cloudy with scattered flurries, 5 cm accumulation, southerly ridge winds 30 gusting 50 km/h, temperatures rising to - 13 at 1500m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

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.