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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 10th, 2023–Jan 11th, 2023

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.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

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

Monitor the wind on Wednesday and watch for signs of new slab formation. Wind slabs are always touchiest right after they form.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday a field team member observed a large (size 2.5) 48-72 hour old natural avalanche that was triggered by a large cornice fall on the slope below it. This occurred on a north aspect.

Other than the above, we haven't received reports of recent avalanches. Looking forward, isolated pockets of wind slabs could be triggered by riders in steep lee terrain features.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong south winds are expected redistribute loose surface snow on Wednesday, potentially forming new wind slabs in exposed areas.

Winds will be acting on a light new snow amounts and the 5 to 10 cm of soft snow from the weekend that overlies a settled snowpack.

Snow depths at White Pass are around 100 cm in sheltered areas and 200 cm on wind-loaded slopes.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Becoming cloudy. Light southeast winds increasing into the morning.

Wednesday

Cloudy with flurries bringing less than 5 cm of new snow. Moderate south winds, increasing with elevation. Treeline high temperatures around -10 °C.

Thursday

Partly cloudy, isolated flurries with trace accumulations. Light to moderate southwest winds. Treeline high temperatures around -10 °C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy. Light southwest winds. Treeline high temperatures around -5°C under a mild temperature inversion.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Watch for signs of slab formation throughout the day.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

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.