Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Yukon.
The highway to White Pass has re-opened, but due to the long closure, recent observations have come elsewhere, including Atlin, Tushi and Wheaton Valley. As part of your process, be sure to supplement this forecast with your own observations before committing to your line.
Confidence
Moderate - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.
Weather Forecast
MONDAY NIGHT: Flurries with little accumulation. Moderate southerly winds, becoming light by morning. Alpine temperatures around -13 C.
TUESDAY: Dry but mostly cloudy. Light southeasterly winds. Alpine temperatures around -15 C.
WEDNESDAY: Light snow, 2-4 cm. Light southwesterly winds. Alpine temperatures around -14 C.
THURSDAY: Light snow, 2-4 cm. Light southerly winds. Alpine temperatures around -17 C.
Avalanche Summary
There are no recent reports of avalanches. The most likely place to trigger an avalanche under current conditions is on the downwind side of a steep, exposed ridgeline.
Snowpack Summary
Soft snow can be found in sheltered terrain whereas hardened wind slabs are likely found in the alpine and exposed treeline. Below this surface snow lies a widespread melt-freeze crust. The crust has been reported up to 1400 m in the Wheaton Valley, up to 1800 m near the Alaska border, but was not evident between 1400-1700 m in the Tutshi area. The main concern is newly-formed wind slabs sitting on this crust.
The lower snowpack is generally settled and strong after a massive storm at the beginning of December. However, there is potential for weak snow at the bottom of the snowpack in colder drier areas such as the Wheaton Valley.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Mostly winds have been from the south and west, but there have been periods of northerly winds that may have locally distributed wind blown snow onto south-facing slopes. Best not to think too much in terms of aspect, but assess each exposed slope individually for potential wind slabs.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2