Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 14th, 2022–Apr 15th, 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, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon.

Avalanche conditions are generally safe. Things to always think about are pockets of wind slabs in steep alpine terrain, the possibility of cornice failure, and snowpack warming when the sun is out.

Confidence

High - Confidence is due to a stable weather pattern with little change expected.

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Mainly clear, some high cloud. Light wind from the northwest. Treeline temperatures drop to -15 C.

FRIDAY: High cloud increasing in the afternoon. 10-30 km/h wind from the west. Treeline temperatures rise to -8 C.

SATURDAY: Cloudy with light flurries. Light variable winds. Treeline temperatures rise to -10 C.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with light flurries. Light southerly winds. Treeline temperatures around -12 C.

Avalanche Summary

A very large cornice-triggered wind slab avalanche (size 3) 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, avalanche activity is unlikely given the current cool, unsettled weather trend. However, always be ready for the possibility of pockets of wind slabs in steep alpine terrain, cornice failures, and wet loose avalanches if the sun is out.

Snowpack Summary

Earlier in the week, strong northerly wind hammered the region, leaving sastrugi and hard wind-affected snow on the surface. Sun crusts are found up to 1400 m on south and west-facing slopes, while surfaces on other aspects are dry. The mid-snowpack is generally strong, overlying weak basal facets at the base of the snowpack. 

Check out the Yukon Field Team's MIN from Wednesday for a picture of current conditions!

Terrain and Travel

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you 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.

Problems

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.