Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 24th, 2022–Apr 25th, 2022

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

Regions

Yukon.

Make observations as you travel and be on the lookout for signs that suggest unstable snow. Expect snow conditions to change quickly with elevation, aspect, and time of day.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mainly cloudy with light flurries. Freezing level lowering to 700 m. Light southeasterly winds. 

MONDAY: Partially cloudy with isolated flurries. Freezing level rising to 1500 m in the afternoon. Light northerly winds.

TUESDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with light flurries in the morning. Freezing level rising to 1500 m in the afternoon. Light northerly winds.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with flurries. Freezing level rising to 1400 m in the afternoon. Light southerly winds.

Avalanche Summary

A large cornice failure was observed in the Cleveland area on Thursday. The full report can be seen here.

Check out this MIN report for a picture of recent conditions in the White Pass.

Reports are limited at this time of year, but we suspect pockets of wind slabs exist in lee areas in the alpine. Small wet loose avalanches are possible on steep solar aspects if the sun comes out on Monday. Please let us know what you're seeing by filling out a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of recent snowfall may have been redistributed by southerly winds into wind slabs lee areas in the alpine and exposed treeline. This new snow is expected to bond poorly to the faceted and heavily wind-affected surface from last week's strong northerly winds. Large surface hoar has also been found in sheltered alpine areas. A surface crust can be found on all aspects to at least 1400 m and to mountain top on solar aspects. The mid-snowpack is generally strong, overlying weak basal facets at the base of the snowpack. 

Check out this MIN report from the Yukon Field Team for a picture of conditions prior to the weekend's storm.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.