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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 22nd, 2022–Apr 23rd, 2022

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

All blow and no snow! Strong wind and light snowfall may form fresh and reactive wind slabs at higher elevations.

Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.

Confidence

Moderate - Forecast precipitation (either snow or rain) amounts are uncertain.

Weather Forecast

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with snowfall, 5 cm of accumulation. Wind increasing to moderate from the south. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom. Treeline temperature around -8 C.

SATURDAY: Continued snowfall may become mixed with rain as freezing levels rise to 1300 m. Snowfall accumulation of 2 to 5 cm. Moderate wind from the southeast.

SUNDAY: Flurries, around 5 cm of accumulation at higher elevations. Freezing levels rise to 1500 m in the afternoon and drop to about 1000 m overnight. Moderate southeasterly wind.

MONDAY: Continued precipitation, 5 cm of new snow at higher elevations. Freezing levels rise to 1500 m in the afternoon and drop to about 1000 m overnight. Light easterly wind.

Avalanche Summary

A large cornice failure was observed in the Cleveland riding area on Thursday. The full report can be seen here.

Looking forward to Saturday, fresh and reactive wind slabs are expected to form in lee areas in the alpine and treeline. Wet loose avalanches will be possible at low elevations with rain and warm temperatures. These avalanches will likely be limited to small releases on isolated slopes in extreme terrain.

Reports are limited at this time of year. Please let us know what you're seeing by filling out a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

New snow and southerly winds are expected to create fresh deposits of wind slab in the alpine and exposed treeline. This 5-10 cm of new snow overlies a faceted and heavily wind-affected surface from last week's strong northerly winds. Large surface hoar has also been found in sheltered areas. 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. 

Check out this MIN report from the Yukon Field Team for a picture of conditions prior to the storm.

Terrain and Travel

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded features, especially near ridge crests, roll-overs and in steep terrain.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • 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.

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.