Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 23rd, 2024–Mar 24th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon, Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Haines Pass.

Head above the crust to the alpine for the best turns.

While danger is low, continue to evaluate conditions as you travel and adjust your trip plan if conditions are not what you expect.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Small wet avalanches have been observed on south facing slopes in the heat of the day. Activity may continue during periods of strong sunshine. Cornice falls were observed to have triggered large avalanches last weekend (photo below), and they are expected to remain weak with daily sun and warm temperatures.

If you head into the backcountry, please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

A widespread surface crust exists up to roughly 1300 m. At higher elevations, snow has been wind affected by variable winds. Large cornices can be found on exposed ridgelines.

Dry snow with good riding conditions can still be found on north-facing alpine slopes, while steep south facing slopes may become moist with rising freezing levels and sunshine during the day. Check out this MIN report from McDonnell for a great summary of conditions on Friday.

In some areas, a weak layer of facets or surface hoar may persist, down buried 50-80 cm deep. This layer is unlikely to trigger from the weight of a rider, but concern exists with very large loads like cornice falls.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Clear skies with cloudy periods. 10-20 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30-40 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level rising to 1100 m.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. Isolated flurries possible. 30-40 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing levels rise to 11000 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. Isolated flurries possible. 10-20 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing levels rise to 1100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.