Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 27th, 2023–Jan 28th, 2023

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Alpine

2: Moderate

The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate

Treeline

1: Low

The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low

Below Treeline

Below Threshold

The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions: Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.

Avoid steep wind-loaded, northeasterly alpine terrain, as a layer of buried surface hoar proved to be a major hazard today.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Our Avalanche Canada field team remote triggered a large, wind slab avalanche on a Northeast, alpine slope. Check out more details and photos in their Mountain Information Network report. A few similarly sized natural avalanches were observed on nearby slopes of similar aspect and elevation.

Snowpack Summary

In alpine terrain, recent winds have created a variety of wind-affected surfaces. Isolated wind slabs remain in steep, unsupported, lee terrain features. Below roughly 1700 m a widespread, breakable melt-freeze crust is present, with moist snow below.

A layer of surface hoar has been reported down 50 to 80 cm from the surface.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Clear, no precipitation. Moderate northerly alpine winds, with stronger outflows in the valleys. Alpine temperatures -10 to -20 C.

Saturday

Sunny, no precipitation. Moderate northerly alpine winds, with stronger outflows in the valleys. Alpine temperatures -15 to -25 C.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, no precipitation. Light to moderate northwest alpine winds. Alpine temperatures -5 to -10 C with potential for a temperature inversion.

Monday

Cloudy, with isolated flurries. Light to moderate westerly alpine winds. Alpine temperatures -5 to -10 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.
Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs may overlay a layer of weak surface hoar in northeasterly alpine terrain. Avalanches have the potential to be large and destructive if triggered on this buried surface hoar. This layer has demonstrated the ability to propagate large distances.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3