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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 4th, 2022–Feb 5th, 2022

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

Regions

Yukon.

While you've been choking on pow, we're starting to feel like a broken record over here. But the wind has to show up at some point. And when it does...

Avalanche danger will increase to HIGH in the alpine. Deep and reactive wind slabs are likely to trigger naturally as they form.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Friday night: Continued snow flurries up to 5 cm. SW wind building to strong. Alpine temperature near -12. 

Saturday: Continued snow flurries 5-10 cm. Strong SW wind. Alpine temperature near -8.

Sunday: Continued snow flurries 5-10 cm. Strong SW wind easing in the evening. Alpine temperature near -4. Freezing levels variable through region 500-1000 m.

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. Moderate W wind. Alpine temperature near -7. Freezing level valley bottom.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday numerous size 1 dry loose and soft slabs ran naturally and were easily reactive to skier triggering. On the Alaska side, strong outflow winds made for touchy avalanche conditions, with large natural releases running to the road. We are expecting similar conditions in White Pass once the wind picks up.

Snowpack Summary

Flurries continue to accumulate over the recent 50 cm of low-density snow that fell without wind prior Friday. Strong SW winds are now likely transporting all that new snow into wind slabs in lee terrain features. These fresh slabs will likely be reactive due to a poor bond to underlying surfaces including surface hoar on sheltered northerly aspects and hard slab in wind-affected areas.

In shallow snowpack areas a layer of loose facets sits at the bottom of the snowpack.

Terrain and Travel

  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of strong wind.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, avalanches may run surprisingly far.

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.