Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 9th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
bchristie,
Avalanche Canada
Avoid avalanche terrain, and don't expose yourself to the runout of alpine features. Recent snow and continued strong winds are making natural and rider triggered avalanches likely.
Summary
Confidence
Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
Weather Forecast
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. 0-5 cm of snow expected above 1000 m and rain below. Strong to extreme southwest wind. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom. Alpine low around -5 C.
THURSDAY: Mostly sunny by the afternoon. No new snow expected. Strong west wind. Alpine low around -10 C.
FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. 0-3 cm of snow expected. Strong to extreme south wind. Alpine high around -5 C.
SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. 0-10 cm of snow expected. Strong southwest wind. Freezing level rising to around 600 m.
Avalanche Summary
A widespread avalanche cycle occurred on the weekend for the closed South Klondike Highway area, with avalanches on north and east aspects (lee slopes) to size 3. This MIN also describes a couple skier-triggered wind slab avalanches in the Wheaton.
Looking forward, similar natural and skier-triggered wind slab avalanches are expected as stormy conditions continue.
With the Klondike Highway reopening Wednesday afternoon, we should get some more observations coming in the next couple of days:)
Snowpack Summary
Freezing levels are forecasted to drop back to valley bottom, likely forming a surface crust at elevations that saw rain on Wednesday (possibly up to 1200 m).Â
At elevations that were above the freezing line on Wednesday, strong south to southwest wind has blown any recent snow into touchy wind slabs in lee terrain features. The slabs may be widely variable in thickness, anywhere from 20 to upwards of 100 cm thick. A few reports suggest the slabs may have a poor bond with underlying surfaces, including previous hard wind slabs and potentially surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded terrain. It is possible that recent snow has formed storm slabs in the most sheltered of terrain that has avoided these perpetual winds.
In shallow snowpack areas, a layer of loose facets can be found at the bottom of the snowpack.
Terrain and Travel
- Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of strong wind.
- Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
- Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
- Stick to simple terrain features and be certain your location isn't threatened by overhead hazard.
- Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Snowfall and continual strong south to southwest wind have formed touchy wind slabs in lee terrain features. In areas sheltered from the wind, you may also find storm slabs that have developed, so assess for slab properties prior to jumping into consequential terrain features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 10th, 2022 4:00PM
