Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Yukon.
Strong northeast wind has formed new wind slabs, with the touchiest slabs likely found at treeline elevations.
Confidence
High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.
Weather Forecast
FRIDAY NIGHT: Clearing skies, moderate to strong northeast wind, alpine temperature -24 C.
SATURDAY: Clear skies, moderate to strong northeast wind, alpine temperature -24 C.
SUNDAY: Clear skies, light north wind, alpine temperature -22 C.
MONDAY: Clear skies, light to moderate northeast wind, alpine temperature -25 C.
Avalanche Summary
There have been no reports of avalanche activity in the past few days.
Snowpack Summary
Around 15 to 20 cm of recent snow has been blown around by strong northeast wind. The wind has scoured much of the alpine, but isolated wind slabs may still be found. Around the treeline where the snow was previously unconsolidated, fresh wind slabs have likely formed in lee terrain features.Â
Snow depths at White Pass average around 150 cm; deeper locations (higher terrain west of the highway) have as much as 200 cm. It's reasonable to expect a thin snowpack with sugary facets in the Wheaton Valley, although we don't yet have observations to confirm this.
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
- Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
The most touchy wind slabs may be found in lee terrain features around treeline terrain, where recent snow was blown around by northeast wind. The alpine has been hammered by wind but isolated slabs may still exist.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2