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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 17th, 2020–Jan 20th, 2020

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 unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon.

There has been a ton of wind in the last week and wind effect is now extremely varied throughout the region. Try to seek out the most wind sheltered terrain you can find this weekend to avoid the wind slab problem and find the best riding conditions.

Confidence

Low - Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Weather Forecast

Very little change for the forecast period, although we could see some warmer temperatures at the higher elevations as a weak alpine temperature inversion begins to setup later this weekend.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Alpine temperature -25, moderate east/southeast wind, no significant precipitation expected.

SATURDAY: Scattered cloud cover, valley temperature -20, alpine temperature -15 C, moderate east/southeast wind, no significant precipitation expected.

SUNDAY: Scattered cloud cover, valley temperature -20, alpine temperature -15 C, moderate south wind, trace of snow possible.

MONDAY: Scattered cloud cover, valley temperature -15, alpine temperature -10 C, moderate south wind, trace of snow possible.

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanche observations. 

Snowpack Summary

Strong northeast wind has prevailed since late last week, stripping away snow in exposed terrain and depositing it in lee terrain features. Isolated wind slabs may still be found.

The prolonged cold temperatures have started to facet the upper snowpack and there has even been some surface hoar starting to develop in the trees.

Snow depths at White Pass average around 150 cm; deeper locations (higher terrain west of the highway) have as much as 200 cm. It's reasonable to expect a thin snowpack with sugary facets in the Wheaton Valley, although we don't yet have observations to confirm this.

Terrain and Travel

  • Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

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.