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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 30th, 2020–Jan 1st, 2021
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
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
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
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: Yukon.

Danger ratings have come down, but there is still a bit of concern surrounding isolated pockets of old hard wind slab which may remain sensitive to human triggering, especially in more extreme terrain features.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the extreme variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Pretty benign weather expected over the next few days.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Freezing level at valley bottom, light west/northwest wind, trace of snow expected.

THURSDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level at valley bottom, light northerly wind, no significant snowfall expected.

FRIDAY: Broken cloud cover, freezing level at valley bottom, moderate east/northeast wind, a few cm of snow possible.

SATURDAY: Scattered cloud cover, freezing level at valley bottom, moderate southeast wind, a few cm of snow possible during the day. Weather models are hinting at a bit of a storm track beginning Saturday night.

Avalanche Summary

Recent activity has been confined to small avalanches in terrain immediately lee of ridge crest. 

Snowpack Summary

As per usual, you can find aging hard wind slabs in the alpine, but they seem to be confined to the bigger more extreme terrain features immediately lee of ridge crest.  

There are not any concerns of note in the upper snowpack aside from wind slabs.

A buried crust can be found 60-100 cm below the surface, but reports suggest the snow is quite well-bonded to this crust. The lower snowpack is strong around White Pass, however there is potential for a weaker snowpack structure in inland areas such as the Wheaton Valley. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

You may find isolated pockets of stubborn old hard wind slabs, especially in more extreme terrain immediately lee of ridge crest.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood: Unlikely

Expected Size: 1 - 2