Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
Cornices are currently very large and guard many ridgetops like gargoyles.
Cornice falls may trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
The warm temperatures and sunshine triggered numerous wet loose avalanches up to size 1.5 on all aspects/elevations on Friday. See MIN
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
Cornices are very large and loom over slopes below like gargoyles. Cornice falls may trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.
Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for lingering wind slabs on all aspects at upper elevations.
A robust crust exists on all aspects up to approximately 1400 m and to ridgetop on sunny aspects.
A weak layer of surface hoar/crust/facets buried in early January is now around 100 cm down in most areas. A significant warming event or a large trigger (like a falling cornice) are the most likely things to activate this layer.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm / 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -2 C / Freezing level 800 m
Sunday
Cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-10 cm / 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around 2 C / Freezing level 1400 m
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries; 3-5 cm / 40 km/h south ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -1 C / Freezing level 900 m
Tuesday
Mix of sun and cloud / 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -2 C / Freezing level 800 m
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
- Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Avalanche Problems
Cornices
Cornices are very large and loom over slopes below like gargoyles. Cornice falls may trigger large avalanches on the slopes below.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5
Wind Slabs
Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for lingering wind slabs on all aspects at upper elevations.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Expected Size: 1 - 2