Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 13th, 2026–Apr 14th, 2026

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

Use extra caution on high north-facing slopes, where wind slabs may be reactive in wind-loaded terrain and deeper instabilities may exist in thin, rocky areas.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain due to a highly variable snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche reports were limited over the weekend, with one size 1 wind slab on an east-facing slope.

On Friday, a skier remotely triggered a size 2 wind slab on a north-facing slope at 1900 m, failing on a surface hoar layer about 50 cm deep. A similar avalanche was reported just outside the region in an area with a comparable snowpack.

Overall, wind slab activity continues, while the deep persistent problem remains a concern due to weak snowpack structure.

Snowpack Summary

A variety of surfaces exist across aspects and elevations. Firm, supportive crusts are present at lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes; these may soften with possible sunny breaks.

In higher-elevation terrain sheltered from sun and wind, roughly 20 cm of recent snow overlies a mix of older, wind-affected surfaces.

A weak layer of surface hoar persists 40 to 70 cm below the surface in northerly alpine terrain.

The lower snowpack remains faceted and generally weak, especially in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Partly cloudy. 0 to 1 cm of snow. 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 2 to 4 cm of snow in the morning then mix of sun and cloud in the afternoon. 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and clouds. 0 to 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.