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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 10th, 2020–Jan 13th, 2020

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

Regions

Yukon.

Strong northeast wind has formed new wind slabs, with the touchiest slabs likely found at treeline elevations.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Clearing skies, moderate to strong northeast wind, alpine temperature -24 C.

SATURDAY: Clear skies, moderate to strong northeast wind, alpine temperature -24 C.

SUNDAY: Clear skies, light north wind, alpine temperature -22 C.

MONDAY: Clear skies, light to moderate northeast wind, alpine temperature -25 C.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no reports of avalanche activity in the past few days.

Snowpack Summary

Around 15 to 20 cm of recent snow has been blown around by strong northeast wind. The wind has scoured much of the alpine, but isolated wind slabs may still be found. Around the treeline where the snow was previously unconsolidated, fresh wind slabs have likely formed in lee terrain features. 

Snow depths at White Pass average around 150 cm; deeper locations (higher terrain west of the highway) have as much as 200 cm. It's reasonable to expect a thin snowpack with sugary facets in the Wheaton Valley, although we don't yet have observations to confirm this.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.

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.