Avalanche Forecast
Although the snowpack in the northern areas of the Yukon Region is shallow, there is now enough snow in wind deposited terrain features to create avalanches. Steep alpine bowls and cross-loaded treeline gullies are two places you could find trouble.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches have been reported from these areas. This is likely due to the shallow snowpack limiting riding opportunities for the time being. If you find yourself in the Wheaton Valley, Powder Valley, or Paddy Peak areas, please submit a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack for areas including the Wheaton Valley, Powder Valley, and Paddy Peak continue to be shallow and wind affected. At tree line, there is approximately 30cm of snow on the ground and at higher elevations the snow has been scoured to ground in exposed areas and deposited up to 100cm deep in others. It is in these more deeply deposited areas that avalanches are now possible.
Weather Summary
Monday night: Partly cloudy. Trace amounts of new snow. Temperatures at -10ËšC overnight. Winds from the southwest 40km/h
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. No new snow. Temperatures at -12ËšC. Winds from the southwest 20km/h gusting 40km/h
Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Up to 4cm of new snow. Temperatures ranging from -10ËšC to -4ËšC. Winds from the southwest 20km/h gusting to 40km/h
Thursday: Partly cloudy. Trace amounts of new snow. Temperatures ranging from -5ËšC to -1ËšC. Winds from the southwest up to 50km/h
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
The shallow snowpack in the area can give the impression that there is not yet enough snow to produce avalanches. However, continued variable winds have deposited snow up to 100cm deep into firm slabs in isolated terrain features such as steep alpine bowls and upper treeline gullies.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2