Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 13th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
jminifie,
Avalanche Canada
Although the snowpack in the northern areas of the Yukon Region is shallow, there is now enough snow in wind deposited terrain features to create avalanches. Steep alpine bowls and cross-loaded treeline gullies are two places you could find trouble.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches have been reported from these areas. This is likely due to the shallow snowpack limiting riding opportunities for the time being. If you find yourself in the Wheaton Valley, Powder Valley, or Paddy Peak areas, please submit a report to the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack for areas including the Wheaton Valley, Powder Valley, and Paddy Peak continue to be shallow and wind affected. At tree line, there is approximately 30cm of snow on the ground and at higher elevations the snow has been scoured to ground in exposed areas and deposited up to 100cm deep in others. It is in these more deeply deposited areas that avalanches are now possible.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Cloudy. 2-4cm of new snow. Winds from the southwest 20km/h gusting to 40km/h. Temperature at -5˚C
Wednesday
Cloudy. 2-4cm of new snow. Winds from the southwest at 40km/h gusting to 60km/h. Temperatures holding at -4˚C.
Thursday
Cloudy. 5-10cm of new snow as the warm front smashes into the incoming Arctic air. Winds from the southwest at 40km/h. Temperatures holding around -5˚C.
Friday
Get ready for the deep freeze. Flurries will end in the morning and Arctic air will move in bringing clearing skies. Winds will shift to the north at 20km/h. Temperatures will plunge to -20˚C or colder.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
Problems
Wind Slabs
The shallow snowpack in the area can give the impression that there is not yet enough snow to produce avalanches. However, continued variable winds have deposited snow up to 100cm deep into firm slabs in isolated terrain features such as steep alpine bowls and upper treeline gullies. Winter hiking is still very much possible in these areas. Stick to scoured ridge lines to gain your summits and consider traveling with avalanche rescue equipment and practice companion rescue techniques.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 14th, 2022 4:00PM
