Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 27th, 2023–Dec 28th, 2023

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

Regions

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

Recent winds have formed wind slabs at all elevations. The freshest, most reactive wind slabs may be found in atypical terrain features in the alpine.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the region. Winds slabs likely remain triggerable by humans.

If you head into the backcountry please consider submitting your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

50-70 of recent storm snow has been redistributed by strong southerly winds at all elevations, shifting northeast and continuing to transport snow at upper elevations on Wednesday. Decent snow quality was reported in sheltered areas in this MIN from Whitepass on Tuesday.

The middle and lower snowpack is reported to be well settled, with a thick, well-bonded crust approximately 50 cm above the ground at elevations below 1200 m. Snow depth varies from 75-200 cm through the region.

Weather Summary

Wednesday night

Increasing cloud, flurries up to 5 cm. Moderate to strong northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -10 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with flurries up to 5 cm. Light to moderate southeast wind. Treeline temperature around -11 °C. Possible temperature inversion.

Friday

Cloudy with flurries up to 5 cm. Light to moderate southeast wind. Treeline temperature around -8 °C. Possible temperature inversion.

Saturday

15-30 cm of new snow. Strong southerly wind. Treeline temperature rising to -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.

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.