Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Yukon.
Strong wind will drive avalanche hazard. As flurries accumulate the touchiest deposits will be where wind has loaded fresh snow onto leeward slopes.
Confidence
Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.
Weather Forecast
Saturday night: Cloudy and unsettled with light flurries bringing trace to 10 cm. Moderate to strong southeast winds. Overnight low -12 C.
Sunday: Stormy and windy, 5-15 cm through the day. Strong southerly winds. Ridgetop high of -5 C.
Monday: Partly cloudy, isolated flurries, and sunny breaks, trace to 5 cm. Strong wind decreasing quickly to light southwesterlies. Ridgetop high of -2 C.
Tuesday: Unsettled and windy, up to 5 cm flurries. Southwest wind increasing to moderate-strong. Ridgetop high -6 C.
Avalanche Summary
Most recent avalanche observations are from Wednesday, when our field team observed natural dry loose avalanches on all aspects to size 1.5. While in the field they also observed wind transport and new wind slab formation.
Snowpack Summary
Strong wind will quickly redistribute flurries and loose snow into pressed surfaces and windslabs at treeline and higher. Fresh snow covers previously wind affected surfaces and a crust is on all aspects to 1200 m, and to ridgetop on solar slopes. The middle of the snowpack is reported to be strong and well settled. Take note, cornices are large and looming.
Terrain and Travel
- Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Moderate to strong wind will quickly impact falling snow. Expect to find the deepest and most reactive deposits around ridges and lee slopes.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Cornices
Large cornices have been observed in the region. Limit your time on slopes with these hazards above them.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5