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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 7th, 2021–Apr 8th, 2021

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

Wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on Thursday. Watch for fresh slabs building through the day Friday with the arrival of new snow and of course wind.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: Clear. Light westerly wind. Alpine temperature -15.

Thursday: Flurries up to 5cm. Strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature around -10.

Friday: 10-20 cm new snow. Moderate variable wind. Alpine temperature around -15.

Saturday: Flurries bringing up to 5 cm. Moderate to strong southwest wind. Alpine temperature around -12.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, we received report of a size 1 wind slab out of an unsupported lee feature observed from the highway. Over the weekend there were a few reports of natural wind slab avalanches (see a photo in this MIN report) and some size 1 wet loose avalanches on steep sun-exposed slopes. Looking forward fresh wind slabs will be the main concern.

Snowpack Summary

10-20 cm of new snow is forecast for Friday. This will add to 20 cm of recent, wind-affected snow that may continue to be redistributed into wind slabs in lee terrain features by strong southwest winds through Friday.

The White Pass area has a deep snowpack without any layers of concern. The Tutshi Lake / Paddy Peak area should be assessed on a slope by slope basis, as some lingering snowpack weaknesses may still exist on isolated slopes. The Wheaton's shallower snowpack is dominated by hard wind slabs overlying sugary facets and depth hoar. It's an untrustworthy snowpack structure that requires conservative terrain selection and diligent travel habits. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.