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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 28th, 2021–Dec 29th, 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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon.

Avoid wind loaded pockets at all elevations and seek out sheltered terrain where good riding could still be found. Wind slabs will still be sensitive to rider triggering.

Confidence

Moderate -

Weather Forecast

Tuesday night: temperature inversion with -7 at 1200m and a low of -20 at valley bottom. wind in the alpine will be light to moderate from the southwest. No new snow expected.

Wednesday: Moderate to strong northwest winds in the alpine with 5cm of new snow. Temperatures around -8.

Thursday: clear with no new snow expected. Another temperature inversion is possible, -12 at 1500m and -20 at valley bottom. Light winds.

Friday: strong southwest winds with light snow all day. High of -10 at 1500m.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported in the last few days. If you are out in the mountains please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network repport.

Snowpack Summary

Wind slab can be found at all elevations on east and south aspects. North and west aspects are generally scoured but periods of southwest winds could create wind slab on cross loaded features.

Surface hoar may exist down 20cm at 1300m and below. It is likely only a problem where wind slab has formed above it.

The lower snowpack is made up of weak sugary snow. An avalanche at this interface is most likely to be triggered in shallow areas or with a large impact like a cornice fall or surface avalanche.

Terrain and Travel

  • Keep your guard up at lower elevations. Wind slab formation has been extensive.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.

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.

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.