Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
Watch for newly formed wind slabs in exposed terrain.
Verify conditions as you travel. The snowpack is highly variable and weather could vary across the forecast area.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been reported in the past week.
If you are traveling in the mountains consider posting to the MIN.
Snowpack Summary
The new snowfall is burying wind-affected surfaces in exposed terrain on all aspects and elevations. Moderate to strong south and southwest winds will likely be forming deeper deposits in leeward terrain. Ongoing cold temperatures have softened the upper snowpack in sheltered terrain.
A weak layer of facets and a crust from early December is buried 60 to 100 cm deep. This layer exists on all aspects up to 1750 m.
At the highway elevation, the snow depth is 120 cm, and in the alpine exceeds 200 cm.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with 3-5 cm of snow in the morning, partly sunny in the afternoon. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature - 3 °C.
Saturday
Mainly cloudy with 1-3 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Sunday
Cloudy with 5-10 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rocky outcrops, and steep terrain where triggering is most likely.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Reactive new wind slabs are expected to be forming in leeward and cross-loaded terrain.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
Large, steep, open slopes with shallow snowpacks are the most likely place to trigger a large avalanche on this layer. To avoid this problem, choose terrain sheltered from the wind that tends to catch and hold more snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 2 - 3