Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
It's important to have patience during uncertain times.
Buried weak layers may still be triggered by riders. Avoid slopes that are connected to larger features above.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches have been reported since Jan 22nd.
Early in the week there were two very large (size 3) avalanches triggered by cornices falling on a slope and triggering a weak layer, suspected to be the early December crust.
Snowpack Summary
Exposed terrain has been heavily wind-affected. In sheltered areas, there is 20 to 30 cm of settling soft snow.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 80 to 140 cm deep. This layer exists on all aspects up to around 1700 m and produced large avalanches last weekend.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy. 40 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 40 to 80 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °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.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong wind will continue to build slabs in lee terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
The early December weak layer continues to be triggerable in shallow, thin-to-thick areas.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5