Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 22nd, 2024–Mar 23rd, 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, Haines Pass.

Low danger does not mean low danger.

Watch for changing surface conditions on steep, south facing slopes, and minimize your exposure to cornices.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Small wet avalanches have been observed on low elevation south facing slopes in the heat of the day. We expect this activity to continue during periods of strong sunshine. Cornice falls were observed to have triggered large avalanches last weekend (photo below), and they are expected to remain weak with daily sun and warm temperatures.

If you head into the backcountry, please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

A widespread surface crust exists up to roughly 1300 m. At higher elevations, snow has been redistributed by winds from various directions. Deeper deposits and large cornices can be found in exposed terrain. Dry snow can still be found on north-facing alpine slopes. Steep south facing slopes are becoming moist with rising freezing levels and sunshine during the day.

In some areas, a weak layer of facets or surface hoar may persist, down approximately 50 to 80 cm from the surface. This layer is unlikely to trigger from a riders weight, but concern exists with large loads like cornice falls.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Clear skies, 10-20 km/h west ridgetop wind.

Saturday

Sunny with cloudy periods. 10-20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 900 m.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30-40 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 900 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. Isolated flurries possible. 30-40 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches
Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.