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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 10th, 2022–Dec 11th, 2022

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

Regions

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

Watch for fresh wind slabs forming in new terrain features as the wind swings from north to southwest.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Our field team observed shooting cracks in newly formed wind slabs on Friday, as reported in their MIN.

A natural wind slab avalanche, size 1.5, was observed at White Pass, east of Big Kahuna, in steep, rocky terrain on Thursday. For more details check out the MIN report!

If you head out in the backcountry please support your community by submitting a MIN report!

Snowpack Summary

Previous northerly wind has redistributed 20 cm of recent snow into south-facing features in the alpine and exposed areas at treeline. As the wind ramps up out of the southwest on Sunday afternoon, expect new wind slabs to form on opposing aspects.

A faceting crust is found down 20-50 cm on solar aspects but has not been reactive in tests. The lower snowpack consists of soft, sugary facets and a crust near ground level.

Up to 100 cm of snow can be found in the alpine however winds have made distribution variable. Treeline snow depth averages 80 cm. Early-season hazards exist at treeline and below such as rocks, stumps, and open creeks.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Clear. Northerly ridge winds light. Temperatures continue dropping to -25 at 1500 m.

Sunday

Increasing cloud in the afternoon. Ridge winds increasing to 40 km/h from the southwest. Temperatures rising to -17 at 1500m.

Monday

Cloudy with, 5 cm accumulation. Strong southerly wind. Temperatures rising to -8 at 1500m.

Tuesday

5 cm overnight then a mix of sun and cloud with scattered flurries. Moderate southwest wind. Temperatures around -10 at 1500m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

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.