Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
It's possible to remote-trigger very large avalanches from long distances away. Stick to simple terrain and avoid overhead slopes.
Check out this MIN report showcasing a recent avalanche.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Friday, skiers triggered a slab with a 1 m crown depth in the Big Y. Get more details here.
On Wednesday, a snowmobile remotely triggered a large (size 3) persistent slab avalanche from 100 m away near Bryant Lake. It was triggered from flat terrain at the col on an ENE aspect at 1500 m. The crown depth was 1 to 2 m, the width was 400 m and it ran 400 m down slope. It slid on the December facet/crust weak layer.
Heads up through the weekend, human-triggered avalanches remain likely.
Snowpack Summary
The last storm cycle on Thursday brought up to 40 cm of new snow with strong southwest winds. Northwest through southwest winds continue redistributing the storm snow, building thicker wind slabs on leeward slopes.
A persistent weak layer composed of facets overlying a crust is buried 50 to 100 cm deep and continues to be reactive with the new load from snow and wind.
Total snow depths are around 160 to 190 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy. 40 to 65 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10°C.
Monday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 80 gusting to 100 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6.
Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
- In times of uncertainty, conservative terrain choices are our best defense.
- Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
A reactive weak layer of facets over a crust is buried 60 to 100 cm deep. Remote triggering from afar is possible and it will produce large and destructive avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5
Wind Slabs
Reactive wind slabs may exist. North-and east-facing slopes are very loaded with deep deposits of snow. Northwest winds could also load south-facing slopes this weekend.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5