Avalog Join
Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 24th, 2020–Feb 26th, 2020
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
4: High
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be high
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

Regions: Yukon.

Danger will escalate throughout the week as new snow accumulates to form unstable wind slabs.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with some light flurries bringing up to 5 cm of new snow, moderate south wind, alpine temperatures drop to -18 C. 

TUESDAY: Periods of snow, 5-10 cm, moderate south wind with 50 km/h gusts, alpine high temperatures around -8 C.

WEDNESDAY: Scattered flurries with another 5-10 cm of snow, strong south wind, alpine high temperatures around -5 C. 

THURSDAY: Another pulse of flurries with 10-15 cm of new snow, strong south wind, alpine high temperatures around -5 C.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported over the weekend. There were several reports of size 2-3 avalanches during last week's storm, including a large slab triggered by a falling cornice on north face in Taiya Valley.

Last week's storm snow may still be possible to trigger in steep wind-affected terrain, but the primary concern this week will be new slabs forming as snow accumulates.

Snowpack Summary

New slabs will form this week as the weather forecast calls for roughly 5-10 cm of snow per day with strong south wind. A storm last week delivered 20-30 cm of snow that has been redistributed by shifting winds, leaving old wind slabs on a variety of aspects in exposed terrain. Cornices are reported to be growing in size as well.

At White Pass, where snowpack depths are between 180 and 250 cm, the mid and lower snowpack layers are well bonded. In the Wheaton Valley, the base of the thin snowpack comprises mainly of sugary facets and is capped by a breakable crust.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

With more snow and wind in the forecast expect fresh wind slabs to form on a variety of aspects. Their size and likelihood will escalate throughout the week. 

Also be aware of old wind slabs that may be buried beneath the new snow and could still be possible to trigger in steep terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2