Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 13th, 2023–Dec 14th, 2023

Alpine

Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

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

Stormy conditions persist throughout the day Thursday - continue with a conservative approach while avalanche hazard remains heightened.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few natural wind slab avalanches up to size 2 on north-facing, alpine terrain were reported Wednesday.

Check out Wednesday's report from our Avalanche Canada field team.

If you do go into the backcountry, consider submitting a Mountain Information Network report.

Snowpack Summary

Approximately 50 to 100 cm of recent storm snow continues to be redistributed by strong southerly winds. Deep deposits of wind-loaded snow can be found in lee features, while south-facing terrain continues to be scoured by recent winds.

New snow is reportedly well bonded to an underlying crust.

Treeline snow depth is roughly 80 cm, however, snow depths overall remain highly variable.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with 2 to 10 cm of snow, south alpine winds 40 to 60 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 15 to 30 cm of snow, south alpine winds 50 to 70 km/h, treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine winds 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -9 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with trace amounts of snow, southwest alpine winds 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -9 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid all avalanche terrain during periods of heavy loading from new snow, wind, or rain.
Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.

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.