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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 21st, 2020–Feb 24th, 2020

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
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.

Regions

Yukon.

Danger is on a decreasing trend after the recent storm. Best enjoy the good snow in sheltered areas away from the influence of the wind.

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Weather Forecast

Friday night: Around 5 cm new snow. Strong southwesterly winds.

Saturday: 2-5 cm new snow. Moderate southwesterly winds. Temperatures around -8C.

Sunday: Flurries. Light southeasterly winds. Temperatures around -11C.

Monday: Dry with some sunshine. Calm winds. Temperatures around -15C.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported on the Canadian side of White Pass despite the recent new snow and wind. On the American side, several avalanches of at least size 2 have been reported from highway elevations and in the alpine during the last few days.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm new snow fell on Wednesday/Thursday with additional light amounts since then. This new snow has been redistributed by shifting winds, and wind slabs have been reported on a variety of aspects in exposed terrain. Cornices are reported to be growing in size.

At White Pass, where snowpack depths are between 180 and 250 cm, the mid and lower snowpack layers are well bonded. In the Wheaton Valley, the base of the thin snowpack comprises mainly of sugary facets and is capped by a breakable crust.

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

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.