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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 17th, 2020–Feb 19th, 2020

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 and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon.

Strong southwest wind throughout the forecast period is likely to form deep and potentially touchy wind slabs in exposed terrain. Avoid wind exposed terrain and seek out sheltered zones. We're closely watching the development of Wednesday's storm, stay tuned for details.

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack. Uncertainty is due to how the snowpack will react to the forecast weather.

Weather Forecast

While the rest of the province see’s sun we’ll be lucky if we get more than a passing glimpse of that bright orb. It looks pretty windy through the forecast period. The weather models are showing a bigger storm for Tuesday Night into Wednesday but our consultation with Environment Canada suggests that the models are showing too much snow. We’ll be watching the development of the mid-week storm closely, stay tuned for more details.

MONDAY NIGHT: Moderate to strong west/southwest wind, freezing level at valley bottom, a few cm of snow possible.

TUESDAY: Broken cloud cover, strong south wind, freezing level at valley bottom, a few cm of snow possible.

WEDNESDAY: Broken cloud cover, strong to extreme south wind, freezing level at valley bottom, 5 to 10 cm of snow.

THURSDAY: Broken cloud cover, strong to extreme south wind, freezing level at valley bottom, 5 to 10 cm of snow.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche activity has been reported. That will likely change over the next few days as the southwest wind begins to form fresh wind slabs and cornices. 

Snowpack Summary

The MIN is full of reports of very good skiing and riding over the weekend, the 20 to 50 cm of storm snow has largely been untouched by the wind. NE wind started to form a shallow slab Sunday and the weather stations are now showing a moderate southwest wind which could begin to move the ageing storm snow around. Winds are forecast to be strong and there's lots of snow available to form into fresh wind slabs over the next few days.

Snow depths at White Pass are around 160 cm at our wind protected Fraser study plot. Deeper locations (higher terrain west of the highway) have more than 200 cm, while on the east of the highway depths are around 185 cm. It's reasonable to expect a thin snowpack composed mainly of sugary facets in the Wheaton Valley, and thinner wind-scoured alpine areas.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

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.