Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 12th, 2024 4:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada dnylen, Avalanche Canada

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Windslabs can be found on all aspects from variable winds, be cautious when you transition into wind affected snow.

Cold exposure remains a major concern. (Read more in this blog).

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

The arrival of the arctic front on Wednesday resulted in a cycle of natural wind slab avalanches. The freshly formed wind slabs were also reactive to skiers, with whumpfs and shooting cracks reported by the Yukon Field Team.

Snowpack Summary

Most surfaces are likely wind-affected after the passage of the arctic front, but you may still find pockets of soft snow in sheltered areas.

A layer of surface hoar that formed on Christmas Eve may be found 50 cm deep, but recent observations suggest it has bonded. Snowpack depths range from 80 to 200 cm, with local variations due to wind redistribution.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Increasing cloud with no precipitation, alpine wind northwest 40-60 km/h, treeline temperature -20 ºC.

Saturday

Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, alpine wind southwest 30-50 km/h, treeline temperature -18 ºC.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with flurries with trace accumulation, alpine wind southwest 60 km/h, treeline temperature -13 ºC.

Monday

Cloudy with up to 3 cm of snow, alpine wind southwest up to 70 km/h, treeline temperature -10 ºC.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Arctic outflows developed wind slabs on south-facing slopes on Thursday, and today's westerly winds will form new windslabs on east and north facing slopes. Be cautious when entering terrain with stiff surface snow.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 13th, 2024 4:00PM

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