Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
New wind slabs need time to settle and bond.
Keep in mind a buried weak layer exists and there is the potential for large avalanches.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported, though whumpfing continues to be reported.
It has been a while since a persistent slab avalanche has been reported, however, with new load (snow) on the weak layer it is uncertain if it will become active again.
Snowpack Summary
Around 10 cm of new snow has fallen with more expected Monday night. The storm came with strong southwest wind, building slabs on lee slopes. Expect lesser amounts of new snow the further east you go.
New snow falls on heavily wind-modified snow with some soft snow in sheltered spots.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 50 to 100 cm deep. This layer exists on all aspects up to around 1700 m.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Tuesday
A mix of sun and clouds. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly clear skies. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and clouds. 10 to 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -22 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Make conservative terrain choices and avoid overhead hazard.
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Strong wind and new snow have built slabs in lee terrain features. Avoid wind loaded spots.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Persistent Slabs
The early December weak layer continues to be triggerable in shallow, thin-to-thick areas or with large loads like a cornice or avalanche.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 2 - 3