Avalanche forecast

Yukon

Apr 11 – 12, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on lee aspects in the alpine.

Watch for recently formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Lingering wind slabs may remain reactive to human triggers on lee aspects in the alpine.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    2–3

    A layer of facets sitting on a crust buried in January has recently been reactive. Triggering is most likely in areas where the snowpack is thin and weak, or with a heavy load like a cornice fall or the weight of a smaller avalanche in motion triggering this deeper layer.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported in this region on Monday. However, observations are currently very limited.

On Saturday a rider triggered a cornice fall from a distance, which produced a size 3 persistent slab avalanche on a northeast aspect at 1750 m. The avalanche was 200 cm deep and was suspected of having failed on the layer of facets above a crust buried in January.

Observations are limited at this time of year, please consider sharing any information or photos you have on the Mountain Information Network to help guide our forecasts.

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of recent soft snow may have seen some redistribution by recent wind but above 1200 m, it remains largely available for wind transport. Below 1200 m, moist snow or a thin crust may exist at or near the surface.

The new snow sits over previously wind-affected snow on north and east facing slopes and a crust on south facing slopes.

A weak layer of surface hoar/crust/facets buried in early January is now buried over 1 m deep in most areas. This layer has produced recent avalanche activity and remains a concern in terrain where the snowpack is thin. The lower snowpack consists of basal facets, particularly in shallow areas.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Partly cloudy / 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -9 C

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm / 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -8 C

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries; 0-5 cm / 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -6 C

Friday

Mostly sunny / 10 km/h east ridgetop wind / Temperature at treeline around -5 C

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.

Regions covered