Avalanche Forecast

Brrrr! Cold temperatures look to be with us through the weekend. The weather models are hinting at more seasonal temperatures beginning Tuesday.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Overnight low temperature around -30 C, moderate to strong southeast wind, no snow expected.

SATURDAY: Clear skies, daytime high temperature around -20 C, moderate to strong east/southeast wind, no snow expected.

SUNDAY: Clear skies, daytime high temperature around -20 C, light variable wind, no snow expected.

MONDAY: Clear skies at dawn with cloud cover steadily increasing through the day, daytime high temperature around -15 C, light to moderate west/southwest wind, no snow expected.

Small, dry loose avalanches may be possible in steep, sheltered terrain where the snow is still soft. Triggering wind slabs may also be possible in extreme terrain.

This MIN does a great job of highlighting the lingering wind slab problem that exists in more extreme terrain. There are a few more great MINS that shed light on recent riding conditions too.

In wind-sheltered locations, you may find up to 10 cm of light snow sitting on old, unreactive slabs that may be softening in the cold temperatures.  

In wind exposed terrain, the wind effect is extensive and vast fields of sastrugi can be found.  

A buried weak layer of surface hoar may still be found around 90 cm deep. It was found around Log Cabin and also in Powder Valley (see here). Avalanche activity on this layer hasn't been reported since the first week of January and isn't expected to spike without a substantial snowfall or warming trend.

The lower snowpack is strong around White Pass but a thinner and weaker snowpack structure is expected inland, such as in the Wheaton Valley and the south Klondike.

• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
• Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
• Sheltered slopes at lower elevations will offer the best riding.