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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 6th, 2022–Feb 7th, 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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon.

Be very cautious when travelling in wind-affected terrain, as touchy wind slabs exist.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 10 to 15 cm, 60 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -4 C.

MONDAY: Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 50 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -6 C.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 cm, 50 km/h southwest wind, alpine temperature -4 C.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with snow and rain, accumulation 5 to 10 cm snow above 1200 m and rain below, 60 km/h south wind, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 1200 m.

Avalanche Summary

Reports suggest that large avalanches reached the Klondike highway on Saturday, likely occurring naturally from strong wind loading. This MIN also describes a couple skier-triggered wind slab avalanches in the Wheaton.

Looking forward, similar natural and skier-triggered wind slab avalanches are expected as stormy conditions continue.

Snowpack Summary

Strong to extreme south to southwest wind has blown any recent snow into touchy wind slabs in lee terrain features. The slabs may be widely variable in thickness, anywhere from 20 to upwards of 100 cm thick. Reports suggest the slabs may have a poor bond with underlying surfaces, including previous hard wind slabs and potentially surface hoar crystals in sheltered and shaded aspects. It is possible that recent snow has formed storm slabs in the most sheltered of terrain that has avoided these winds.

In shallow snowpack areas, a layer of loose facets can be found at the bottom of the snowpack.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

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.