Avalanche forecast

Yukon

Mar 11 – 12, 2022Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating

Highlights

Light snow and strong winds brings fresh potential for small but reactive wind slabs to build around ridgeline and terrain features. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Light snowfall and strong winds may form fresh slabs throughout the day. 

    Old hard wind slabs might still be reactive to human triggers or natural triggers like large cornice falls. Avoid steep, unsupported slopes that sound drum-like or hollow. 

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported since Saturday. 

If you head out into the mountains, please let us know what you see on the Mountain Information Network. 

Weather Forecast

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy, up to 3 cm snow, moderate to strong southwest wind, freezing levels at valley bottom. 

FRIDAY: Cloudy, up to 5 cm snow, strong southwest wind. Freezing level valley bottom, alpine high -9 °C.

SATURDAY: Cloudy, up to 5 cm snow, moderate to strong west and southwest wind. Freezing level valley bottom, alpine high -6 °C.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with flurries. Light to moderate southeast winds. Freezing levels at valley bottom. Alpine high of -16. 

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the extreme variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

Snowpack Summary

Light snowfall will bury heavily wind affected surfaces. Soft snow can only be found in terrain that is very sheltered. On steep, sun-affected terrain new snow may sit over a crust.

Another crust is buried 20-40cm deep on south facing terrain. Other aspects hold more dense snow at this depth from previous strong winds. 

The lower snowpack is well bridged by the layers above, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.

Regions covered