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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2022–Apr 4th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon.

Watch for reactive slabs around ridges and into wind-loaded terrain.

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Sunday night: Unsettled with isolated flurries, up to 10 cm. The deepest accumulations are forecast between Fraser Camp and the US border. Moderate southerly winds decreasing through the night. Ridgetop low of -12 C.

Monday: Partly cloudy with sunny breaks. Wind decreasing to light southeasterly. Ridgetop high of -4 C.

Tuesday: Unsettled and windy, up to 5 cm flurries. Southwest wind increasing to moderate-strong. Ridgetop high -6 C.

Wednesday: Flurries. Increasing southeast wind. Ridgetop high of -4 C.

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, skiers remote triggered a size 2 wind slab from 10 m away on a north aspect. They also saw evidence of a natural wind slab avalanche cycle in the last 2-3 days, with avalanches to size 2 failing in immediate lee features and steep terrain.

Most recent avalanche observations are from Wednesday, when our field team observed natural dry loose avalanches on all aspects to size 1.5. While in the field they also observed wind transport and new wind slab formation.

Snowpack Summary

Wind has redistributed recent snow into pressed surfaces and wind slab. Northerly and higher elevation terrain holds 10-30 cm settled and wind affected snow over previous wind affected surfaces. A crust is found on all aspects to 1200 m and to ridgetop on solar slopes. The middle of the snowpack is reported to be strong and well settled. Take note, cornices are large and looming.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.