Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Haines Pass, Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
Be cautious when transitioning into wind loaded terrain.
Recent snow and wind have built small wind slabs in lee features at upper elevations.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday in white pass, small (size 1) wind slab and loose dry avalanches where reported near ridge top.
A cornice triggered slab was reported in the Big Y area of the white pass this past weekend.
If you observe an avalanche, please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 15 cm of new snow is now resting on wind pressed surfaces and wind slabs in open terrain while leaving 15-25 cm of settled surface snow in sheltered areas. A melt-freeze crust covers most solar slopes as well as northerly slopes up to 1250 m.
Below 1100 m the snowpack is wet and unconsolidated.
A buried surface hoar or crust layer, 40 to 60 cm deep, is variable in distribution.
A December crust with facets, 100 to 150 cm deep on all aspects up to 1750 m, has shown no significant test results.
Snow depth ranges from 100 cm at highway elevations to over 300 cm in the alpine.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy with with up to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 700 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with flurries. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for wind slabs near and below ridge crests as continued light snowfall and wind will promote their formation.
Aspects: North, North East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2