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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 17th, 2024–Jan 18th, 2024

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.
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.

Wind has modified the snow surface on all aspects, and down to valley bottom in most places. Soft snow is sparse.

Alpine wind slabs may still avalanche under the weight of a human or machine.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, a few large natural avalanches were reported in the highway corridor on both the Canadian and American sides of White Pass. These likely occurred with wind loading recent storm snow into lee features.

Wind slabs may continue to be rider-triggerable on all aspects in the alpine on Thursday.

Snowpack Summary

Variable direction, moderate to strong winds have formed wind slabs on all aspects and at all elevations. In isolated areas sheltered from the wind, you may find up to 10 cm of soft snow on the surface.

The middle of the snowpack is settled and strong.

Right above the ground, you'll find 30-40 cm of loose, sugary, faceted snow under a crust.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy. Trace of new snow expected. Strong to extreme northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature falling to around -18 °C.

Thursday

Partly cloudy. No new snow expected. Moderate to strong east or northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -20 °C.

Friday

Mostly sunny. No new snow expected. Moderate to strong northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -20 °C, with possible temperature inversion.

Saturday

Partly cloudy. Trace of snow expected. Moderate northeast ridgetop wind. Temperature inversion breaking down, treeline temperature around -18 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Even a small avalanche can be harmful if it pushes you into an obstacle or a terrain trap.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

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.