Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Yukon.
Light flurries overnight probably won't be enough to form a serious new wind slab problem for Sunday, but monitor new snow amounts and reactivity as you gain elevation to be sure.
Check out the newest forecaster blog if you are thinking of checking off big spring objectives.
Confidence
Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain.
Weather Forecast
SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with light flurries bringing about 5 cm of new snow. Light northeast winds.
SUNDAY: Mainly cloudy with diminishing flurries and another 1-3 cm of new snow. Light northeasterly winds. Treeline high temperatures around -13.
MONDAY: A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Moderate to strong northeast winds. Treeline high temperatures around -9.
TUESDAY: Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries and a trace of new snow. Light east winds. Treeline high temperatures around -7.
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Thursday or Friday.Â
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A size 3 cornice-triggered slab avalanche was observed near White Pass on Tuesday. This avalanche occurred on an east aspect in the alpine.
Several small human-triggered wind slabs (size 1) were reported during the outflow wind event on Monday and Tuesday.
Looking forward, forecast light new snow and wind could form a small wind slab problem to manage on Sunday.
Snowpack Summary
About just over 5cm of new snow should accumulate in the region overnight Saturday through Sunday afternoon. This will bury mainly hard, wind affected surfaces from recent strong northerly winds.
On south and west facing slopes up to 1400 m a surface crust from spring sunshine can be found, while other aspects hold dry snow. The mid-snowpack is generally strong, overlying weak basal facets at the base of the snowpack.Â
Check out this MIN report for an overview of current conditions in the Fraser area.Â
Terrain and Travel
- Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Cornices
Cornices may be weak and reactive to human triggers. They are a significant hazard alone, and may produce large slab avalanches as they fall onto the slope below. Cornice falls are more likely as temperatures warm each day, or when strong sunshine is present.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 3
Wind Slabs
Small wind slabs may form in pockets of leeward terrain with light snow and wind forecast through Sunday afternoon.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5