Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
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).
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.
Avalanche Problems
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