Avalanche forecast

Yukon

Mar 22 – 23, 2022Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating

Highlights

In the wake of the storm, expect fresh slabs to be sensitive to human triggering. Ease into terrain on Wednesday. Start small and tune into any signs of instability as indications to back off into lower angle or less wind-loaded terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    20-40 cm of new snow fell with gusty wind in the White Pass area. Fresh storm slabs likely remain triggerable by riders.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to how quickly the snowpack will recover and gain strength. Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Tuesday night: Snowfall 5-10 cm. Strong southeast wind. Alpine low around -8 °C.

Wednesday: Snowfall 5-10 cm. Moderate south wind. Alpine high around -8 °C.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with possible flurries. Light to moderate southeast wind. Alpine high around -6 °C.

Friday: Mostly cloudy with possible flurries. Light southeast wind. Alpine high around -5 °C.

Avalanche Summary

We are still awaiting observations from Tuesday's storm. We are anticipating a natural storm slab cycle to have occurred up to size 2.

If you head out into the mountains, and you have photos to share, conditions to report on, or just some stoke about the good riding, consider making a post on the Mountain Information Network. 

Snowpack Summary

20-40 cm of new snow arrived with gusting wind in the White Pass area. The new snow sits over settling snow from the previous storm, wind slabs in exposed areas and a sun crust on steep solar aspects.

A couple of sun crusts exist in the upper snowpack but none have been identified as layers of particular concern. The lower snowpack is thought to be well protected by the dense, wind-pressed layers above, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time.

Terrain and Travel

  • Give the new snow time to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Start with conservative lines and watch for clues of instability.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.

Regions covered