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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 16th, 2023–Dec 17th, 2023

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

Make conservative terrain choices as our region is hit with another storm.

Monitor how new snow bonds to old surfaces.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity reported since Wednesday. Incoming storm snow and winds are expected to increase the likelihood of human and natural-caused avalanches.

Check out Wednesday's report from our Avalanche Canada field team.

If you do go into the backcountry, consider submitting a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

New snow will be falling on wind stripped south-facing slopes and deep deposits of wind-loaded snow on north and north-facing aspects and lee features.

There may be stiff wind slab underneath new fluffy snow, be sure to dig and investigate. Limited field observations mean we do not know if the new snow is bonding well to the old snow surface.

Treeline snow depth ranges from 100 to 120 cm, however, snow depths overall remain highly variable.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy, 5 to 10 cm accumulation, ridgetop winds southwest 55 to 65 km/h, treeline temperature - 6 °C. 

Sunday

Cloudy, 10 to 20 cm accumulation, ridgetop southwest winds 45 km/h gusting to 75, treeline temperature -3 °C.

Monday

Partly cloudy, trace accumulation, ridgetop winds variable 10 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C. 

Tuesday

Sunny with cloudy periods, no accumulation, ridgetop winds south 15 km/h treeline temperature -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.

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.