Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 13th, 2022 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
jminifie,
Avalanche Canada
It is snowing and blowing in White Pass and this new snow and wind will rapidly form reactive Wind Slabs. It's a good time to avoid a lot of avalanche terrain especially wind affected places like below ridgelines and large gullies. Pay attention to the snow beneath your feet or track and be ready to back off quickly if you feel or see signs of instability.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
The AvCan Field team observed evidence of a Wind Slab avalanche cycle from early in the storm above Canada Customs.
Avalanche professionals traveling the South Klondike highway corridor on Monday reported observing active cross-loading and wind slab deposition at higher elevations.
Snowpack Summary
White Pass received 10-20cm of storm snow on Monday and will continue to see these amounts daily until Thursday. The new snow is being delivered with strong to extreme southwest winds and instantly forming touchy Wind Slabs.
A faceting crust is found down 20-50 cm on solar aspects but has not been reactive in tests. The lower snowpack consists of soft, sugary facets and a crust near ground level.
Up to 125 cm of snow can be found in the alpine however winds have made distribution variable. Treeline snow depth averages 80 cm. Early-season hazards exist at treeline and below such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks.
Weather Summary
Tuesday night
Cloudy. 5-10cm of new snow overnight. Winds from the southwest 20km/h gusting to 50km/h. Temperatures around -10˚C.
Wednesday
Cloudy. 10-15cm of new snow. Winds from the southwest 40km/h gusting to 70km/h or stronger in the high alpine. Temperatures holding near -4˚C.
Thursday
Cloudy. 5-10cm of new snow. Winds from the southwest 30km/h gusting to 50km/h or stronger in the high alpine. Temperatures holding at -4˚C.
Friday
Get ready for the deep freeze. Flurries taper in the morning and Arctic air moves in bringing clear skies by the afternoon. Winds will switch to the north at 20km/h. Temperatures will plummet to -20˚C by late afternoon.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
Problems
Wind Slabs
This continues to be a very active storm and wind slabs will form rapidly. This is a good time to avoid avalanche terrain that is exposed to the wind. Riding quality will also be much better is sheltered areas. Look for signs of potential reactivity including stiffening of the snow below your feet or track and/or shooting cracks. Manage overhead hazard as naturally triggered avalanches are likely at this time. Utilize "check turns" high on the slope and have an escape route in mind if committing to a line.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 14th, 2022 4:00PM
