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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 24th, 2024–Mar 25th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

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

While danger is low, continue to evaluate the snowpack as you travel and adjust your trip plan if conditions are not as forecast.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported. Small wet avalanches were observed on south-facing slopes in the heat of the day over the last week, but are unlikely with the forecast cooling conditions.

Cornice falls were observed to have triggered large avalanches last weekend and are expected to remain weak.

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

Snowpack Summary

A widespread surface crust exists up to roughly 1300 m. Daytime warming may soften this crust at lower elevations.

At higher elevations, snow has been wind affected by variable winds. Large, fragile cornices can be found on exposed ridgelines and should be given a wide berth.

Soft dry snow may still be found on north-facing alpine slopes.

In some areas, a weak layer of facets or surface hoar is buried 50-80 cm. This layer is unlikely to trigger from the weight of a rider, but concern exists with very large loads like cornice falls.

Check out this MIN for recent conditions in White Pass, and this MIN for the Haines area.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy with a trace of new snow possible. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature drops to around -3 °C. Freezing level dropping between 100 to 300 m.

Monday

Cloudy with 0 to 3 cm of new snow. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature rising to 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1200 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with a trace of new snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1000 m.

Wednesday

Partly cloudy with a trace of new snow possible. 15 to 25 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level rising to 1100 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

Problems

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.