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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 11th, 2024–Feb 12th, 2024

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

Wind slabs will remain reactive to rider triggering today.

Choose sheltered, low-angle terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday, riders in the Fraser area found reactive wind slab deposits releasing on steep slopes at treeline, and shooting cracks. Check out these MIN reports for details.

Looking ahead, wind slabs will likely remain reactive to rider triggering, especially in wind-affected terrain and areas where storm totals were greater.

Snowpack Summary

Strong southwesterly winds have redistributed new snow forming reactive wind slab deposits. Storm totals have reached 50 cm in the White Pass, with less elsewhere throughout the region.

These slabs may not bond well to the old snow surface, which in areas is firm surfaces from previous wind effects and warm temperatures, with a layer of weak, feathery crystals on top, as described by the Field Team here. In other areas, 20 cm of soft snow exists that may also be redistributed.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy. 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Tuesday

A few clouds. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Wednesday

Sunny. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level at the surface, with a layer of warm air aloft between 1200 and 2500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

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.