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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 2nd, 2023–Jan 3rd, 2023

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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

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

Use caution in wind-loaded areas at upper elevations. Recently formed wind slabs may not bond well to old, faceted surfaces below and could be reactive to human triggering.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported recently. Backcountry users will likely see evidence of a natural avalanche cycle from this weekend's storm if they head out.

Continue to support your backcountry community and please consider submitting a MIN report.

Snowpack Summary

25-35 cm of storm snow and moderate southerly winds have built deep pockets of windslab in open areas.

In the mid-pack, down around 50 to 70cm, it could be possible to find a thin layer of facets between old wind slabs. This layer recently produced sudden results in snowpack tests.

The height of the snowpack is variable. In areas lee of the prevailing wind, depths of up to 170cm can be found. At the lower elevation treeline terrain, snow depths decrease and are estimated at 60-90 cm.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Cloudy with light flurries, 2 cm accumulation. Ridgetop winds southerly 30 to 50 km/h. High of -6 at 1500m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with light flurries, 2 cm accumulation. Outflow winds at the surface develop midday. Ridgetop winds southerly 20 to 40 km/h. High of -7 at 1500m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with light flurries, 2 cm accumulation. Southerly winds 20 km/h. High of -7 at 1500m.

Thursday

Cloudy with the possibility of isolated flurries near White Pass. Light variable ridgetop winds. High of -15 at 1500m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.

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.