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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 29th, 2024–Dec 30th, 2024

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

Watch for pockets of fresh wind slab on atypical aspects and elevations due to outflow winds.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the region. Observations have been limited, but our field team got a glimpse into treeline terrain Thursday and Friday with no avalanche activity to report.

If you head out in the mountains, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Any trace of soft snow available for transport in the extensively wind-hardened landscape will be reverse-loaded into atypical terrain features as outflows pick up this week.

20 to 30 cm of wind-battered snow sits over a crust. A recent MIN report describes preserved surface hoar sitting above the crust in the Powder Valley. This setup is worth investigating throughout the region as slabs formed over this grain could remain reactive for an extended period.

Despite the presence of faceted grains in the lower snowpack, there are no layers of concern below the crust. Snowpack depths range from about 70 to 180 cm.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Partly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h northeast outflow winds. Treeline temperature -14 °C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 40 km/h northeast outflow winds. Treeline temperature -13 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.

Wednesday

Sunny. 40 to 50 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Keep your guard up at all elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive and could extend into openings below treeline.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

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.