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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 13th, 2024–Jan 14th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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, Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West.

Windslabs can be found on all aspects from variable winds, be cautious when you transition into wind-affected snow.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

The arrival of the arctic front on Wednesday resulted in a cycle of natural wind slab avalanches. These slabs were up to 45 cm deep. The freshly formed wind slabs were also reactive to human triggering, with whumpfs and shooting cracks reported by the Yukon Field Team.

Looking ahead, these wind slabs may remain reactive to rider triggering in wind-loaded terrain features, and new wind slabs may form due to southwest winds.

Snowpack Summary

Most surfaces are likely wind-affected after the passage of the arctic front, but you may still find pockets of soft snow in sheltered areas.

A layer of surface hoar that formed on Christmas Eve may be found 50 cm deep, but recent observations suggest it has bonded. Snowpack depths range from 80 to 200 cm, with local variations due to wind redistribution.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with flurries, trace snow accumulations, west alpine winds 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -18 ºC.

Sunday

Cloudy with flurries, trace snow accumulations, southwest alpine winds 60 to 70 km/h, treeline temperature -12 ºC.

Monday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow, southwest alpine winds 60 to 80 km/h, treeline temperature -10 ºC.

Tuesday

Clearing with no new snow, northeast alpine winds 50 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -20 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.
  • 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.