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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 18th, 2024–Dec 19th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

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

It's a good time to explore avalanche terrain.

Keep in mind small, isolated avalanches are still possible with low hazard and can have serious consequences on steep features.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A rider was caught in a size 1.5 wind slab avalanche in White Pass last Sunday. Check this MIN for full details.

Small avalanches are still possible with low hazard. Keep in mind small avalanches can have serious consequences on steep features. It's important to stay alert and continue to use good travel habits in avalanche terrain.

Observations have been limited. Please consider sharing your observations through the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 15 cm of low-density snow sits over a supportive crust. At upper elevations, deeper deposits of wind-loaded snow may exist, up to 30 cm deep. These small wind slabs are trending stubborn, but may still be reactive in isolated high-elevation areas.

The remainder of the snowpack has no layers of concern. 

The alpine snowpack depth ranges from 70 to 180 cm at White Pass. Snowpack depths decrease with elevation and as you travel inland.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Increasing clouds. Light variable ridgetop wind rising to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -28 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy, isolated flurries with trace accumulation. 15 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with flurries, trace to 5 cm snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy flurries, trace to 5 cm. 20 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Periods of low danger may be a good time to increase your exposure.
  • A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.

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.