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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 23rd, 2021–Apr 24th, 2021

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon.

A spring diurnal pattern dominates. Best practice is to limit your overhead exposure, particularly during the heat of the day.

Confidence

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

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with isolated flurries, trace accumulation, 25 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -4 C.

SATURDAY: Mix of sun and cloud, 25 km/h northeast wind, alpine temperature -2 C, freezing level 1400 m.

SUNDAY: Clear skies, 20 km/h north wind, alpine temperature 2 C, freezing level 2000 m.

MONDAY: Clear skies, 10 km/h north wind, alpine temperature -1 C, freezing level 1500 m.

Avalanche Summary

The recent cool air temperature has quieted avalanche activity. No new avalanche observations were made in the past few days.

Looking forward, avalanche activity is unlikely on Saturday given the relatively cool conditions forecast. However, cornice releases can be unpredictable, so best to stay away from them.

A big THANK YOU to all of you that provided us and fellow recreationists with observations this season. Please continue to do so if you head out!

Snowpack Summary

A dusting of snow overlies a hard melt-freeze crust to the mountain tops. The snow surface may moisten during the heat of the day, particularly on sun-exposed slopes and on all aspects below the freezing level. Moistened snow will subsequently freeze during overnight periods. Cornices could weaken during daytime warming.

The White Pass area has a deep snowpack without any layers of concern. A thinner and weaker snowpack exists in inland regions, such as the Wheaton Valley.

Terrain and Travel

  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating.

Problems

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.