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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 6th, 2023–Jan 7th, 2023

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, Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West.

Take a cautious approach to wind-loaded areas as southerly winds may be forming fresh, reactive wind slabs. As you travel through terrain be alert to changes with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A few natural wind slab avalanches have been reported on north and east aspects throughout the week. Most of them have been small (size 1), although the AvCan field team did see one larger (size 2) wind slab that likely occurred on Monday (photos here).

Snowpack Summary

30 to 40 cm of recent storm snow can still be found in wind-sheltered terrain, while exposed alpine terrain has likely been impacted by strong southerly winds. The recent snow is well bonded to underlying layers, with the possible exception of steep wind-loaded slopes. Snow depths at White Pass are around 100 cm in sheltered areas and closer to 200 cm on wind-loaded slopes.

Weather Summary

Friday night

Cloudy with snowfall, 2-5 cm accumulation. Treeline temperatures rising from -12 to -7 C. Ridgetop winds 30-50 km/h from the south.

Saturday

Snowfall continues into the morning, 2-5 cm, gradually tapering in the afternoon. Treeline temperatures around -5 C. Ridgetop winds increasing throughout the day to 30-50 km/h from the south.

Sunday

Partially cloudy, scattered flurries. 30-50 km/h south wind decreasing in the afternoon. Treeline temperatures around -10 C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud, light southerly winds. Treeline temperatures around -10 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.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • The best and safest riding will be on slopes that have soft snow without any slab properties.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.