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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 3rd, 2024–Dec 4th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
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.

Poorly bonded slabs will likely become increasingly dense and reactive with rapidly warming temperatures Wednesday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Wind slab avalanches up to size 2 were observed along the Klondike Highway on Monday.

Early season observations are very limited. Please consider sharing your observations with forecasters and the backcountry community through the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

20 to 40 cm of new snow since Sunday will become cakey and heavy with temperatures warming to above zero below 1500 m on Wednesday. The recent snow has likely been wind loaded into leeward terrain features, and is suspected to have a poor bond to old, hard and faceted surfaces.

The remainder of the snowpack is generally strong, with some crusts near the base.

Snow depths vary significantly, averaging around 70 to 130 cm at Whitepass.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Freezing level rapidly rising to 1500 m.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 60 to 80 km/h ridgetop wind. Treeline high 2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Thursday

Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow overnight with 2 to 5 cm over the day. 50 to 70 km/h ridgetop wind. Treeline high 1°C. Freezing level 1400 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow overnight and 5 to 10 cm over the day. 40 to 60 km/h ridgetop wind. Treeline high -1°C. Freezing level 800 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
  • Stick to simple terrain or small features with limited consequence.
  • Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests, rollovers, and in steep terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.

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.