Avalanche forecast

Yukon

Apr 9 – 10, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating

Highlights

Be cautious when transitioning into wind loaded terrain.

Recent snow and wind have built small wind slabs in lee features at upper elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Watch for reactive wind slabs forming on northern aspects.

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    As temperatures rise, large cornice falls will become a concern. They can potentially trigger slabs on the slopes below.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A cornice triggered slab was reported in the Big Y area of the whitepass this past weekend.

If you observe an avalanche, please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of new snow is now resting on wind pressed surfaces and wind slabs in open terrain while leaving 15-25 cm of settled surface snow in sheltered areas. A melt-freeze crust covers most solar slopes as well as northerly slopes up to 1250 m.

Below 1100 m the snowpack is wet with no structure.

  • A buried surface hoar or crust layer, 40 to 60 cm deep, is variable in distribution.

  • A December crust with facets, 100 to 150 cm deep on all aspects up to 1750 m, has shown no significant test results.

Snow depth ranges from 100 cm at highway elevations to over 300 cm in the alpine.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Partly clear with flurries. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud with flurries. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of snow. 10 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 700 m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Regions covered