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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 17th, 2022–Dec 18th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

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

If you're getting out in the extreme cold, remember that freezing temperatures make for higher consequences.

Reverse loading will likely create small pockets of wind slabs in places you might not expect them.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches have been reported in these areas. This is likely due to the shallow snowpack limiting riding opportunities for the time being. If you venture into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report, as it helps to strengthen our data gathering.

Snowpack Summary

Winds have shifted north Friday and Saturday, moving available snow back to south aspects and potentially creating fresh slabs. The snowpack is generally highly wind-affected, resulting in a wide variation in snowpack depths. Ridges and high points at upper elevations have been scoured, while deep loaded pockets on northerly slopes are up to 150 cm. Treeline snow depth range from 60 to 90 cm.

Weather Summary

An arctic front is sliding throughout the region. Gusty northerly outflow winds and cold temperatures will persist into next week. Dangerous wind chill values are expected.

Saturday night

Clear skies. No precipitation. North winds at 40 km/h. Temperatures dropping to -30˚C.

Sunday

Clear skies. No precipitation. North winds at 40 km/h at ridge tops. Temperatures near -30˚C with the wind chill making it feel like -40˚C.

Monday

Clear skies. No precipitation. Northeast winds at 30 km/h at ridge tops. Temperatures near -32˚C with the wind chill making it feel like -40˚C.

Tuesday

Clear skies. No precipitation. Northeast winds at 20 km/h at ridge tops. Temperatures near -34˚C with the wind chill making it feel like -45˚C

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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.