Avalanche Forecast

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT - Cloudy with clear periods and isolated flurries / southwest wind, 20-40 km/h / alpine low temperature near -13

THURSDAY - Flurries, up to 5 cm / southwest wind, 40-60 km/h / alpine high temperature near -11

FRIDAY - Flurries, 5-10 cm / southeast wind, 15-30 km/h / alpine high temperature near -7

SATURDAY - Flurries, 5-10 cm / southeast wind, 30-50 km/h / alpine high temperature near -6

There have been no recent reports of avalanches in the region.

The most likely place to trigger an avalanche given current conditions would be on the leeward side of a ridgeline. 

Continued flurries should help to maintain fresh, soft snow in sheltered terrain. Moderate to strong southwest winds will mean that wind slabs are likely to be found in the alpine and exposed treeline areas. 

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. 

Snowpack depths range from around 150-170 in the White Pass area, to around 100 cm in drier areas such as Atlin and the Wheaton Valley.

• 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.