Yukon

Watch for fresh wind slab development, slabs may be small but reactive.

Buried layers may be reactive in shallow snowpacks, shift to simple terrain at signs of instability.

Avalanche activity was last reported Saturday, with wind slabs to size 1.5 rider-triggered on south-facing slopes. Photos below.

Signs of instability were observed north of Fraser Peak on Sunday and previously in eastern terrain of White Pass. Choose conservative terrain in areas with a shallow snowpack.

Exposed terrain holds variable, wind-affected surfaces, while soft snow remains in sheltered areas. Due to variable winds, wind slabs may be present on multiple aspects.

Reports indicate that eastern White Pass has a shallower, weaker snowpack. A buried layer of surface hoar or a hard crust, 30 to 50 cm deep, has produced recent cracking, whumpfs, and remains reactive in tests.

A December crust with facets sits 100 to 150 cm deep on all aspects up to 1750 m. This layer has not shown recent activity or significant test results.

Snow depth ranges from 100 cm at highway elevations to over 300 cm in the alpine.

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with flurries. 40km/h southwest ridgetop wind increases to 80 km/h. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 5 to 15 cm of snow, favouring Haines Summit. 60 to 80 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 10 to 30 km/h southeast wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 10 to 30 km/h southeast wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Shooting cracks, whumpfs, and recent avalanches are strong indicators of an unstable snowpack.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.