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

Jan 18th, 2024–Jan 19th, 2024

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

Regions

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

Snow has been heavily redistributed by strong winds. Seek out lower elevation, sheltered terrain, for the safest and best riding conditions.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Reports are limited, but our field team reported strong to extreme winds on Thursday and confirmed that wind slab formation was continuing.

Snowpack Summary

Variable direction, moderate to strong winds have formed wind slabs on all aspects and at all elevations. In isolated areas sheltered from the wind, you may find up to 10 cm of soft snow on the surface.

The middle of the snowpack is settled and strong.

Right above the ground, you'll find 30-40 cm of loose, sugary, faceted snow under a crust.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Clearing overnight, no new snow, northeast alpine winds up to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -20 °C.

Friday

Sunny, no new snow expected, northeast alpine winds up to 40 km/hr decreasing in the afternoon, treeline temperature -20 °C.

Saturday

Mainly sunny with increasing cloud in the afternoon, light snow beginning in the afternoon/evening, alpine winds variable direction up to 20 km/h, treeline temperature around -20 °C.

Sunday

Cloudy, up to 3 cm of new snow overnight and another 2 cm through the day, southerly alpine winds up to 20 km/h, treeline temperature -18 °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.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

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.