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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 19th, 2022–Dec 20th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon, Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West.

If you're getting out in the extreme cold, remember that freezing temperatures make for higher consequences.

Watch for isolated pockets of lingering wind slabs in places you might not expect them.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported in these areas. This is likely due to the shallow snowpack limiting riding opportunities for the time being. If you venture into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report, as it helps to strengthen our data gathering.

Snowpack Summary

The snowpack is generally highly wind-affected, resulting in a wide variation in snowpack depths. Ridges and high points at upper elevations have been scoured, while deep loaded pockets on isolated slopes are up to 150 cm. In protected spots, there could be 10-15 cm of now-faceted snow over the top crust, but in most spots, that crust is exposed and rough. Treeline snow depth range from 60 to 90 cm.

Weather Summary

The same story continues with the bitterly cold arctic air mass over the region. Gusty outflow winds, extremely cold temperatures and dangerous wind chill values are expected to persist through Friday.

Monday night

Clear sky. No precipitation. Northeast winds at 30 km/h at ridge tops. Temperatures near -35˚C with the wind chill making it feel like -45˚C.

Tuesday

Sunny. No precipitation. Northeast winds at 20 km/h at ridge tops. Temperatures near -32˚C with the wind chill making it feel like -40˚C.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and clouds. No precipitation. Southwest winds at 30 km/h at ridge tops. Temperatures near -32˚C with the wind chill making it feel like -40˚C.

Thursday

Partly cloudy. No precipitation. Northeast winds at 40 km/h at ridge tops. Temperatures near -32˚C with the wind chill making it feel like -45˚C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

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.