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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 16th, 2022–Mar 17th, 2022

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.

 Windslabs are the main problem to watch out for. Use extra caution around ridgetops, especially if you are seeing shooting cracks, or signs of recent avalanches. 

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. 0-10 cm of snow expected. Moderate to strong south ridgetop winds. Freezing levels fall to valley bottom. Alpine low around -5 °C.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Moderate to strong southeast ridgetop winds. Freezing level rising to around 750 m. Alpine high around -2 °C.

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Moderate southeast ridgetop winds. Freezing level around valley bottom. Alpine high around -3 °C.

SATURDAY: Scattered clouds. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Light to moderate southeast ridgetop wind. Alpine high around -4 °C.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday or Wednesday. 

Over the weekend, avalanches to size 1 were observed along the Klondike Highway corridor on south and east aspects. Sensitive wind slabs to size 1.5 were reported in the White Pass area, from the switch to northwest winds.

If you head out into the mountains, please let us know what you see on the Mountain Information Network. 

Snowpack Summary

30-40 cm of recent snowfall sits over a wind pressed snowpack. Recent winds have varied from southwest to northwest, and redistributed this snow into wind slabs on all aspects in wind exposed areas. On steep, south facing terrain, wind slabs may sit over a crust, which is expected to bond slowly. At lower elevations, where the wind has been calmer, expect the surface snow to be less slabby. 

The lower snowpack is thought to be well protected by the dense layers above, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.

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.