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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 3rd, 2024–Dec 4th, 2024
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
Below Threshold
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be below threshold

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

Poorly bonded slabs will likely become increasingly dense and reactive with rapidly warming temperatures Wednesday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were observed along the Klondike Highway on Monday.

Early season observations are very limited. Please consider sharing your observations with forecasters and the backcountry community through the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 40 cm of new snow since Sunday will become cakey and heavy with temperatures warming to above zero below 1500 m on Wednesday. The recent snow has likely been wind loaded into leeward terrain features, and is suspected to have a poor bond to old, hard and faceted surfaces.

The remainder of the snowpack is generally strong, with some crusts near the base.

Snow depths vary significantly, averaging around 70 to 130 cm at Whitepass.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rapidly rising to 1500 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 60 to 80 km/h ridgetop wind. Treeline high 2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Thursday

Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow overnight with 2 to 5 cm over the day. 50 to 70 km/h ridgetop wind. Treeline high 1°C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow overnight and 5 to 10 cm over the day. 40 to 60 km/h ridgetop wind. Treeline high -1°C. Freezing level 800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
  • Stick to simple terrain or small features with limited consequence.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Intensifying wind transport and rapid warming will likely have a destabilizing effect on recent snow. Winds slabs are most likely to be triggered in leeward terrain features such as ridgecrests, roll-overs and cross-loaded gullies.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2