Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 5th, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Loose Wet.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
7:35 AM UPDATE: Dangerous avalanche conditions persist in the alpine as new snow and wind form fresh, reactive wind slabs.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
A natural avalanche cycle occurred in the past few days as rain and warm temperatures infiltrated the region. Notable slab avalanches up to size 3 were reported along the Klondike Highway. See this MIN for more details.
Large natural avalanche activity is expected to taper on Friday with cooling temperatures, but new snow will likely form fresh, rider-triggerable wind slabs.
Please consider sharing your observations through the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
New snow accumulates atop a moist upper snowpack from rain in the past few days. Strong winds will create heavily wind-affected surfaces and redistribute new snow into fresh wind slabs.
The remainder of the snowpack is generally strong, with some crusts near the base.
Snow depths vary significantly, averaging around 70 to 130 cm at Whitepass.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of new snow. 40 to 60 km/h south ridge top wind. Freezing level drops to 1100 m. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 50 to 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 15 km/h north ridge top wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Sunday
A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
- Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.
Problems
Wind Slabs
New snow and wind will form fresh, reactive wind slabs in lee areas.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
Where the upper snowpack remains weak and rain-saturated, wet loose avalanches will be possible on steep slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 6th, 2024 4:00PM
