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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 18th, 2023–Apr 19th, 2023

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

Regions

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

Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Natural wet loose avalanches are possible if the sun is shining, use extra caution on solar slopes.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

There have been no new reports as of Tuesday.

A naturally triggered large wind slab avalanche was reported on a north-facing slope in the alpine on Sunday. See MIN

Observations are limited at this time of year, please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of recent snow and light to moderate south wind may have formed wind slabs in isolated lee features in the alpine.

The recent snow sits over previously wind-affected snow surfaces on northerly aspects and sun crust on other aspects.

A weak layer of surface hoar/crust/facets buried in early January is now around 100 cm down in most areas. Operators continue to monitor this layer. A significant warming event or a large trigger (like a falling cornice) are the most likely things to activate this layer.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Trace of new snow. Ridgetop winds 20-30 km/h from the southeast. Temperature at treeline around -7 C and freezing level valley bottom.

Wednesday

Cloudy with possible sunny breaks and a trace of new snow. Ridgetop wind 40 km/h from the southeast. Temperature at treeline around -5 C freezing level 1000 m.

Thursday

Cloudy with new snow 3-10 cm. Ridgetop wind 30-40 km/h from the southeast. Temperature at treeline around -4C with freezing level 1300 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgteop wind 20-30 Km/h from the northeast. Temperature at treeline around -4 C with freezing level near 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
  • Cornice failure may trigger large avalanches.

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.