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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 4th, 2024–Dec 5th, 2024

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

Regions

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

Ongoing precipitation, wind, and warming will continue to create dangerous avalanche conditions.

Stick to low-angle terrain and avoid overhead hazard.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were observed along the Klondike Highway on Monday.

We suspect a rapid rise in temperature overnight on Tuesday caused a natural avalanche cycle. Looking forward to Thursday, ongoing warm temperatures and wind will continue to create dangerous avalanche conditions.

Early season observations are very limited. Please consider sharing your observations through the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Rain and warm temperatures have created a moist snow surface at all elevations except in the high alpine. Strong winds will have created heavily wind-affected surfaces and stiff wind slabs where dry snow remains.

The remainder of the snowpack is generally strong, with some crusts near the base.

Snow depths vary significantly, averaging around 70 to 130 cm at Whitepass.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with up to 5 mm of precipitation. 30 to 70 km/h south ridge top wind. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with 8 to 15 mm of precipitation. 60 to 90 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1300 m.

Friday

Cloudy with up to 2 cm of snow. 40 to 80 km/h south ridge top wind. Freezing level drops to 500 m.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 5 to 15 km/h south ridge top wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.