Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
Use conservative route selection. Choose simple, low angle terrain with no overhead hazard.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Wednesday and Thursday our field team observed size 1-2 storm slab avalanches and experienced whumpfing - which is also a significant sign of instability. See photo below.
On Tuesday, they remotely triggered a large (size 2) storm slab near the Fraser Chutes, which stepped down to the persistent weak layer. Check out their MIN report.
Snowpack Summary
Since the start of the week, around 60 cm has accumulated in the alpine. Some of this new snow fell as rain Thursday night, with the rain/snow line around 1000 m. A new crust formed below that elevation.
By Saturday afternoon, up to 15 cm of snow is expected, with freezing levels near 700 m. Strong south-southwest winds have created deeper, reactive deposits on lee north-northeast slopes.
The storm snow rests on 20–30 cm of faceted old snow, which overlays a crust below 1700 m. Recent storm slabs have occasionally stepped down to this crust, triggering large avalanches.
We currently have no concerns with the remainder of the snowpack. Total snow depths range from about 100 to 180 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with 0 to 13 cm of snow. The highest amounts will be near White Pass, with precipitation dissipating the further you go inland. 60 to 80 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 500 to 700 m.
Sunday
Cloudy with 0 to 10 cm of snow. 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 600 m.
Monday
Cloudy with 0 to 7 cm of snow. 70 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 to 700 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
- It's critical to stay disciplined and stick to gentle, low consequence terrain.
- Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
60+ cm of recent snow and wind have created reactive storm slabs with potential to step down to deeper layers.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Persistent Slabs
A layer of facets over a crust buried 80 to 100 cm deep can produce very large avalanches if triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3