Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
Use extra caution in areas where the snowpack changes from thick to thin, especially near ridge crests.
This is where triggering avalanches is most likely
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported yesterday. Our field team observed some old size 1 wind slab avalanches that likely occurred over the weekend. Check out their MIN for more info.
There have been no recent reports of persistent slab avalanches, but uncertainty remains regarding the early December layer mentioned in the snowpack summary.
Snowpack Summary
15 to 25 cm of old storm snow has been redistributed into hard wind slab by moderate northerly winds.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 50 to 100 cm deep. This layer exists on all aspects up to around 1700 m.
At the highway elevation the snow is 120 cm deep and in the alpine exceeds 200 cm.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear skies. 15 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -22 °C, potential for temperature inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of snow. 20 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -16 °C.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud. 15 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -18 °C, potential for temperature inversion with warmer temperatures in the alpine.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slab may still be found on reverse loaded features due to ongoing outflow wind.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
The early December weak layer may still be triggered in shallow, thin-to-thick areas, or with large loads like a cornice or an avalanche that releases further up in the snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3.5