Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Yukon.
Wind loaded pockets may be triggerable by humans or machines especially in steep, convex or extreme terrain.
Confidence
Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
Saturday night: Flurries around 3 cm, ridgetop winds picking up to moderate northwest, low of -13.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, ridgetop winds moderate northwest, high of -12.
Monday: Sunny, ridgetop winds light northwest, high of -15.
Tuesday: Flurries, strong southwest wind, high of -10.
Avalanche Summary
We have received no reports of recent avalanche activity or signs of instability.
Snowpack Summary
10-20 cm of recent snow appears to be bonding well to a variety of underlying surfaces including a crust that extends up to at least 1200 m on all aspects. Below this, the mid-pack is generally well-settled and strong in most areas. Weak facets (sugary snow) at the base of the snowpack appear to be rounding and bonding in the mild temperatures.
Terrain and Travel
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Pay attention to isolated alpine features as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
- Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may be triggerable in wind-loaded, steep or convex terrain features and near ridgetops. Whumpfing, cracking, and hollow sounds are all signs of instability that should cause you to back off into lower angle or less wind-loaded terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5