Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
Use caution in areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin, especially near ridge crests.
Soft snow and good riding can be found in sheltered terrain features.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
There have been no new persistent slab avalanches reported in the past 6 days, but uncertainty remains regarding the early December layer mentioned in the snowpack summary.
Snowpack Summary
Previous strong outflow wind has impacted the snow surface in exposed terrain on all aspects and elevations. Ongoing cold temperatures have softened the upper snowpack in sheltered terrain.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 70 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 exceeds 200 cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy skies. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -21°C, potential for inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.
Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -17 °C.
Monday
Sunny. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -19 °C, potential for strong temperature inversion with a high of -6 °C in the alpine.
Tuesday
Sunny. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C, potential for inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to a buried crust.
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
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 fall.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3