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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 11th, 2022–Dec 12th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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.

watch for wind slabs in all exposed terrain. Winds will likely shift to the southwest by tonight. Ongoing light snowfall could mean continuous new wind slab development.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Our field team observed shooting cracks in newly formed wind slabs on Friday, as reported in their MIN.

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

Snowpack Summary

As the wind shifts to the southwest we will likely see wind slab on all aspects in exposed terrain at treeline and above.

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.

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

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Flurries bringing a few centimeters of new snow. Ridge winds increasing to 40 km/h from the southwest. Temperatures rising to -11 at 1500m.

Monday

Cloudy with 5 cm of new snow expected. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Temperatures rising to -5 at 1500m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5cm of new snow expected. strong southwest wind. Temperatures around -7 at 1500m.

Wednesday

Light flurries continue with a few more centimeters of snow expected. Moderate southwest winds and a high of -6 at 1500m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

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.