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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 28th, 2025–Mar 1st, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon, Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Haines Pass.

Triggering wind slabs is possible. Avoid slopes that feel and look "slabby"

If you encounter natural avalanches, whumpfing and cracking in the snow, step back to simple low-angle terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Several natural wind slab avalanches (size 1.5) were reported on Thursday. They were primarily seen on north through northeast aspects from 1200 to 1500 m.

Snowpack Summary

By Thursday the region saw up to 30 cm of new snow accompanied by strong southerly wind. The new snow is building deep drifts of wind-deposited snow on lee and cross-loaded slopes, forming fresh wind slabs. These sit over firm, wind-affected surfaces in exposed areas, faceted snow in sheltered terrain, and a crust on steep solar aspects. A poor bond to these interfaces may exist.

A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 60 to 150 cm deep. This layer exists on all aspects up to 1750 m. This layer has not been active in producing avalanches or test results in several weeks and is generally not a concern at this time.

At the highway elevation, the snow depth is 120 cm, and in the alpine exceeds 200 cm.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Clear periods with isolated flurries. 15 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 3 to 8 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 25 to 35 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level valley bottom.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.

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.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.