Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 14th, 2022–Dec 15th, 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, Tutshi, Wheaton.

Although the snowpack in the northern area of the Yukon Region is shallow, there is now enough snow in wind deposited terrain features to create avalanches.

Winter hiking is still very much possible. Best to stick to scoured, snow-free features like ridge lines to gain your summits and consider traveling with avalanche rescue equipment and practice companion rescue techniques.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported from these areas. This is likely due to the shallow snowpack limiting riding opportunities for the time being. If you find yourself in the Wheaton Valley, Powder Valley, or Paddy Peak areas, please submit a report to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack in areas including the Wheaton Valley, Powder Valley, and Paddy Peak continue to be shallow and highly wind affected. At tree line, there is about 30cm of snow on the ground, while at higher elevations, the snow has been scoured to the ground in exposed areas and deposited up to 100cm deep in lee features. It is in these deeper, deposited areas that avalanches are now possible.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with only trace amounts of snow. Light to moderate southwest winds and temperatures around -5 C.

Thursday

Cloudy with only trace amounts of snow. Light to moderate southwest winds and temperatures around -5 C.

Friday

Flurries taper in the morning and Arctic air moves in bringing clear skies by the afternoon. Winds light from the Northeast. Temperatures will plummet to around -20 C by the end of the day.

Saturday

Mainly clear skies. Temperatures in the -20 to -25 C range, with light Northeasterly winds.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

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.