Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
If you venture out in the cold, even a small issue can become a big problem.
Avoid areas where the wind is actively depositing snow.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported Wednesday or Tuesday. On Monday, a few size 1 to 2 natural avalanches occurred on northeast alpine slopes.
There have been no recent reports of persistent slab avalanches, but uncertainty remains. Snowpack test results and whumpfing suggest it may still be triggerable in areas that are shallow and rocky.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 25 cm of new snow fell between Monday and Wednesday. Expect lesser amounts of new snow the further inland you go. It fell with strong southwest wind that has switched to strong northeast. Watch for reverse loaded slopes hiding pockets of hard windslab.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 50 to 100 cm deep. This layer exists on all aspects up to around 1700 m.
At the highway elevation the snow is 120 cm deep and in the alpine there is more than 200 cm.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly clear. 40 to 60 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -27 °C.
Saturday
Sunny. 50 to 70 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -30 °C.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 50 to 70 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud. 50 to 70 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -22 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
The early December weak layer may still be triggered in shallow, thin-to-thick areas, or with large loads like a cornice or avalanche.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Wind Slabs
Fresh windslabs are building on non-typical areas with northeasterly winds.
Aspects: South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2