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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 25th, 2024–Dec 26th, 2024

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

Regions

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

Thursday's weather kicks the snowfall and winds up a notch. Choosing sheltered lower elevations should help manage the increasing wind slab problem.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the region, however observations have been limited.

Please share your own observations through the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Steady light snowfall and southeasterly wind has likely formed deeper deposits on north through west aspects and scoured or pressed south and east facing slopes.

By end of day Thursday, another 10 - 15 cm should add to 10 to 30 cm of recent snow sitting above a firm, supportive crust that extends up to 1500 m. A recent MIN report describes well-preserved surface hoar sitting on this crust in the Powder Valley. This setup is worth investigating throughout the region as slabs that form over this grain could be surprisingly touchy.

The remainder of the snowpack has no layers of concern. Snowpack depths range from about 70 to 180 cm.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Cloudy with flurries bringing 5 to 10 cm of new snow. 30 to 40 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with increasing flurries bringing 5 to 15 cm of new snow, continuing overnight. 50 to 70 km/h southeast ridgetop wind becoming southwest. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with a trace of new snow. 15 to 25 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Saturday

A mix of sun and cloud. 5 to 10 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.

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.