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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 1st, 2022–Jan 2nd, 2022

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

Regions

Yukon.

20-30 cm of recent snow and strong winds shifting from southwest to northeast have likely created reactive wind slabs on all aspects.

Avoid wind-loaded terrain features and look for signs of instability such as whumpfing, shooting cracks, hollow sounds, and recent avalanches. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries; 3-10 cm / Strong northeast wind / Low of -28

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-3 cm / Strong northeast wind / High of -25

MONDAY: Sunny / Strong east wind / High of -26

TUESDAY: Sunny / Strong east wind / High of -28

Avalanche Summary

20-30 cm of recent snow and strong winds shifting from southwest to northeast have likely created reactive wind slabs on all aspects.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of recent snow and strong winds shifting from southwest to northeast have likely created reactive wind slabs on all aspects.

A weak layer of facets (sugary snow) has been reported down 20-50 cm in some areas.

The lower snowpack is made up of weak sugary snow. An avalanche at this interface is most likely to be triggered in shallow areas or with a large impact like a cornice fall or a larger wind slab avalanche that steps-down to these deeply buried weak layers.

Terrain and Travel

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to the presence of a deep persistent slab.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.