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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 13th, 2021–Mar 15th, 2021

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.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon.

Watch for pockets of wind slab in exposed terrain as we've had wind from around the compass rose over the last 72 hours. Sunday looks beautiful and then the weather changes once again Monday afternoon.

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack. Uncertainty is due to the timing, track, & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Weather Forecast

Beautiful weather Sunday and then warmer temperatures + snow possible as we enter the work week.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Overnight low around -22 C, light to moderate east/northeast wind, trace of snow possible.

SUNDAY: Mostly clear skies, daytime high around -13 C, light to moderate northwest wind, no snow expected.

MONDAY: Broken cloud cover, daytime high around -5 C, strong south/southwest wind, 2 to 8 cm of snow possible in the afternoon with 5 to 10 cm possible Monday night.

TUESDAY: Broken cloud cover, daytime high around -4 C, strong south/southwest wind, potential for 5 to 10 cm of snow.

Avalanche Summary

There were some wind slabs observed on Friday in this MIN that likely ran during the storm on Thursday night. No other activity to report.

Snowpack Summary

Almost 20 cm fell Thursday into Friday which adds to the 10 to 15 that fell earlier this week. You can stay up to date with snowfall with the Fraser Camp Wx Station which is back up and running. This new snow is sitting on a sun crust on solar aspects. Wind slabs were touchy during the storm but have quickly grown resistant to human triggering. Many parties were able to find great riding Friday in wind sheltered terrain. The wind picked up again late Friday into early Saturday.

There are no deeper concerns in the snowpack at this time.

Things are a little different in the Wheaton's continental snowpack. It's a weak snowpack dominated by sugary facets and depth hoar, the icing is either layers or a fat cap of harder cohesive slab. It's an untrustworthy structure that requires really good terrain selection and travel habits, or a healthy dose of luck.

Terrain and Travel

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.

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.