Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 16th, 2024–Feb 17th, 2024

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Below Threshold.

Regions

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

Isolated wind slabs may continue to be triggered in specific areas if they overlie surface hoar or facets. Keep this in mind as you transition through terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 natural slab avalanche was reported on Thursday but the avalanche likely occurred on Wednesday. Click on the picture for more details.

Snowpack Summary

Variable conditions exist at all elevations. New surface hoar has formed at treeline and below in sheltered terrain. South facing slopes has a mix of scouring, wind hammered surface snow, a crust and potentially moist snow in the afternoon. Soft snow can still be found on sheltered north facing terrain.

A layer of surface hoar may be found down 20 to 60 cm in north facing, sheltered terrain. It may be an isolated problem at the moment, but it is best practice to try to get some observations or test suspect slopes before jumping into your line.

A thick melt-freeze crust is found down 50 to 100 cm below 1500 m. this layer is not currently a concern.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Clear skies. 15 to 30 km/h easterly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5°C. Above freezing layer above 1500 m dissipating overnight.

Saturday

Mix of sun and clouds. 20 to 30 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4°C.

Sunday

Cloudy, with a trace of new precipitation. 20 to 30 km/h southwesterly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures near -4°C.

Monday

Cloudy, with a trace of new precipitation. 20 to 30 km/h northwesterly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperatures near -4°C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

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.