Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 16th, 2026–Apr 17th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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 unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

Yukon, Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West.

New snow and strong winds forecasted for White Pass could increase the avalanche danger. Scale back to mellow, sheltered terrain.

Further inland the danger may be one step lower.

Confidence

Moderate

We are uncertain due to a highly variable snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, near White Pass, numerous avalanches were reported on steep slopes facing the sun, mostly small (size 1.5), but a few large (max size 3).

With cloudier weather forecasted for Friday, this sort avalanche activity is not expected.

On Tuesday, dry snow sluffing was reported in steep terrain

Snowpack Summary

A variety of surfaces exist across aspects and elevations. Firm, supportive crusts are present at lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes.

In higher-elevation terrain sheltered from sun and wind, 10-15 cm of recent snow overlies a mix of older, wind-affected surfaces.

A weak layer of surface hoar may persist 30 to 60 cm below the surface in northerly alpine terrain.

The lower snowpack remains faceted and generally weak, especially in shallow snowpack areas.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy. 4 cm of snow expected near the American border, with amounts dropping off quickly as you move inland from White Pass. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, increasing to 60 km/h through the night. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Friday

Cloudy. 5 cm of snow expected near the American border, with amounts dropping off quickly as you move inland from White Pass. 55 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy. 1 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Sunday

Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
Be aware of the potential for remote triggering and large avalanches due to buried surface hoar.
Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.