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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 18th, 2022–Mar 19th, 2022

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

Regions

Yukon.

 Assess for windslab hazard before committing to a bigger feature. Back off if you find shooting cracks or signs of recent avalanches. The recent snow seems to be bonding well, but windslabs may be reactive in exposed alpine terrain. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Unsettled weather continues with light snowfall. Heavier snowfall is forecasted for Haines pass, but it is looking unlikely that it will push any further inland.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Light to moderate southeast ridgetop winds. Alpine low around -7 °C. 

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny. 0-2 cm of snow expected. Light to moderate southeast ridgetop wind. Alpine high around -5 °C.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy. Possible trace of snow expected. Light to moderate southeast ridgetop wind. Alpine high around -5 °C.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. 0-10 cm of snow expected. Light southeast wind trending to strong south in the afternoon. Alpine high around -3 °C.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Friday before 4 pm.

On Thursday, northwest of White Pass, natural storm slab avalanches up to size 1.5 were reported on north through east features in the Alpine. It's estimated that they occurred sometime on Tuesday or Wednesday. 

If you head out into the mountains, and you have photos to share, conditions to report on, or just some stoke about the good riding, consider making a post on the Mountain Information Network. 

Snowpack Summary

30-40 cm of recent snowfall sits over a wind pressed snowpack, or a crust on steep, south facing slopes. Recent winds have varied from southeast to southwest, creating deeper deposits on north and east facing aspects. Periods of sun on Thursday created a thin surface crust on solar aspects. 

The new snow seems to be bonding well to old surfaces. At lower elevations, where the wind has been calmer, expect the surface snow to be less slabby. 

The lower snowpack is thought to be well protected by the dense layers above, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

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.