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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 17th, 2024–Mar 18th, 2024

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

Regions

Haines Pass.

Expect to find deposits of reactive wind slab.

A buried weak layer could mean larger-than-expected avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday a size 3 avalanche occurred near Haines, running over the highway.

A few size 1.5 wind slab avalanches were reported by the Field Team in the Nadahini area on Thursday, failing below corniced ridgeline features. Skiers were able to trigger wind slab deposits on north- and east-facing slopes near Haines Junction.

If you go into the backcountry, please submit your observations to the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Warm temperatures over the weekend may have formed a surface crust up to 1500 m.

Moderate and strong south and east winds have redistributed 30 cm of new snow. Expect to find reactive deposits in leeward terrain. Many windward features are stripped back to the ground.

A weak layer of faceted crystals or surface hoar found 50 to 80 cm deep remains a concern.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Cloudy with 1 cm of snow possible. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures -3 °C. Freezing level drops to 500 m.

Monday

Cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature high of -2 °C. Freezing level 750 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 30 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature high of -2 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Wednesday

Partly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature high of -2 °C.

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.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • 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.