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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 9th, 2024–Jan 10th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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, Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West.

Fresh, reactive wind slabs are expected to form as northerly winds invade the region.

Wind and cold temperatures mean cold exposure is a major concern. Read more in this blog.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Fresh wind slab development at all elevations will be the main concern on Wednesday.

Last Saturday, a size 2 avalanche was triggered remotely on a southeast-facing slope on a steep, wind-loaded feature just above treeline. Skiers in this area also reported whumpfing. These may have failed on the buried surface hoar detailed in the Snowpack Summary. Several other size 1 and 2 wind slab avalanches were also reported on both north- and south-facing slopes in exposed areas.

Snowpack Summary

Strong northerly winds are expected to form hard surfaces and redistribute 10 to 20 cm of soft snow into wind slabs in exposed areas.

A layer of buried surface hoar that formed on Christmas Eve may be buried about 50 cm deep.

The lower snowpack is generally strong.

Snowpack depths range from 80 to 200 cm across the region and vary locally from wind distribution.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Clearing, no new snow. Northerly winds, increasing 40 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperatures drop below -20 ºC.

Wednesday

Mainly sunny with no new snow. Northerly winds 40 to 70 km/h. Treeline temperature around -25 ºC.

Thursday

Sunny with no new snow. Northerly winds, 30 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature around -30 ºC.

Friday

Sunny with no new snow. Alpine wind 10 to 30 km/h from the northwest. Treeline temperature around -30 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.
  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.
  • Carefully assess open slopes and convex rolls where buried surface hoar may be preserved.

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.