Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 23rd, 2022–Mar 24th, 2022

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon.

Ease into terrain and watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks or recent avalanches. Fresh snow may become sensitive to triggering upon seeing the sun poke out for the first time.

Confidence

High -

Weather Forecast

Wednesday night: A trace of snow. Moderate southwest wind. Alpine high around -8 °C.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks. Flurries up to 5 cm in Haines Pass. Light to moderate southeast wind. Alpine high around -6 °C.

Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light southeast wind. Alpine high around -5 °C.

Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud. Light southeast wind. Alpine high around -5 °C.

Avalanche Summary

Observations since the storm has been limited by poor visibility but preliminary reports indicate minimal natural avalanche activity. Along the Skagway-White Pass highway, only one path ran naturally during the storm and subsequent explosive control work produced minimal results.

If you head out into the mountains, and you have photos to share, conditions to report on, or just some stoke about the good riding, consider making a post on the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Around 50 cm of new and recent snow is settling and bonding well. Redistribution of low density surface snow by wind is likely in wind exposed terrain features.

A couple of sun crusts exist in the upper snowpack but none have been identified as layers of particular concern. The lower snowpack is thought to be well protected by the dense, wind-pressed layers above, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time.

Terrain and Travel

Start on smaller terrain features and gather information before committing to bigger terrain.
Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
Brief periods of sun could quickly initiate natural avalanche activity.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.