Avalanche Forecast

The storm produced avalanche activity up to size 3 in Haines Pass with impressive propagation in large connected features on north facing slopes (lee to southerly winds). White Pass also saw natural avalanche activity but to a lesser extent likely due to warm temperatures encouraging bonding.

Storm snow is expected to remain reactive to human triggers in wind loaded features.

Around 50 cm of storm snow has fallen around White Pass, with lesser amounts as you move east. Southerly winds have built deeper deposits on north facing terrain features near ridges.

In Haines Pass upwards of 50 cm of storm snow fell, with rain on snow occurring below 700 m. Storm totals also taper inland here, with winds rapidly redistributing snow and leaving soft snow to be found in sheltered gullies and side valleys.

In all areas, storm snow overlies previously wind affected snow (sastrugi) in exposed areas and faceted snow in sheltered features. Warm temperatures have helped storm snow to bond to these weaker surfaces, but reactivity may remain in specific terrain features.

A buried weak layer of surface hoar can be found about 80 cm deep in Powder Valley, Tutshi, and Paddy Peak areas, 150 to 200 cm around White Pass and 80-200 cm deep in Haines Pass. This layer is most prominent on northerly slopes sheltered from the wind. On other aspects, this layer is a hard melt-freeze crust with weak facets around it. To date this layer is has been most problematic in alpine terrain.

The remainder of the middle of the snowpack is consolidated and strong. Weak faceted grains are found near the base of the snowpack, particularly in thin snowpack areas.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy with strong southerly winds. Freezing levels drop below 500 m. Snowfall begins - up to 5 cm for White Pass, and around 15cm for Haines Pass.

Sunday

Cloudy with moderate southerly winds. Up to 5 cm of snow. Freezing levels reach 1000 m.

Monday

Cloudy with light to moderate southeast winds. Up to 5 cm of snow. Freezing levels reach 1000 m.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and cloud with light southerly winds. No snow expected. Freezing levels remain around 500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
• Conditions may have improved, but be mindful that deep instabilities are still present.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.