Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on lee aspects in the alpine.
Watch for signs of instability as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches since this past Sunday when a size 2, cornice-triggered wind slab was reported on a north aspect in the alpine on Sunday. See MIN
On Saturday a rider triggered a cornice fall from a distance, which produced a size 3 persistent slab avalanche on a northeast aspect at 1750 m. The avalanche was 200 cm deep and was suspected of having failed on the layer of facets above a crust buried in January.
Observations are limited at this time of year, please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.
Snowpack Summary
20-30 cm of recent soft snow may have seen some redistribution by recent wind but above 1200 m, it remains largely available for wind transport. Below 1200 m, moist snow or a thin crust may exist at or near the surface.
The new snow sits over previously wind-affected snow on north and east facing slopes and a crust on south facing slopes.
A weak layer of surface hoar/crust/facets buried in early January is now buried over 1 m deep in most areas. This layer has produced recent avalanche activity and remains a concern in terrain where the snowpack is thin. The lower snowpack consists of basal facets, particularly in shallow areas.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy; 2 cm / 25 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -5 C
Friday
Mostly sunny / 15 to 25 km/h southeast ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -4 C
Saturday
Cloudy with flurries; 3-10 cm / 30-40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -4 C / Freezing level 1000 m
Sunday
Mostly sunny; trace / 10-20 east wind / Temperature at treeline -3 C
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
- Use caution on large alpine slopes, especially around thin areas that may propagate to deeper instabilities.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on lee aspects in the alpine.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5
Persistent Slabs
A layer of facets sitting on a crust buried in January has recently been reactive. Triggering is most likely in areas where the snowpack is thin and weak, or with a heavy load like a cornice fall or the weight of a smaller avalanche in motion triggering this deeper layer.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3