Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 3rd, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Poorly bonded slabs will likely become increasingly dense and reactive with rapidly warming temperatures Wednesday.
Summary
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.
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
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 4th, 2024 4:00PM
