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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 18th, 2020–Dec 19th, 2020

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

Regions

Yukon.

This forecast is focussed on deeper snowpack areas like White Pass where new snow and southwest winds will quickly build windslabs. The best riding is likely to be in sheltered areas, watch for slabby snow, and avoid terrain traps.

Confidence

High - We are confident the likelihood of avalanche will increase with the arrival of the forecast weather.

Weather Forecast

It's still snowing out there!

FRIDAY NIGHT Light snow Friday ending overnight. Weather forecast call for wind to start from southwest moderate to strong.

SATURDAY: Another round of snow, around 15 to 25 cm, with moderate to strong southwest wind. Temps around -5 C.

SUNDAY: Clearing sky, no new snow, cooler temps around -10 C, but continued moderate to strong southwest winds.

MONDAY: repeat of Sunday.

Avalanche Summary

There have been no recent reports of avalanches in the region. The only reports we've received are of exceptional powder riding.

The most likely place to trigger an avalanche given current conditions would be on the leeward side of a ridgeline. 

Snowpack Summary

Snowpack is approaching 150 to 200 cm in Whitepass, closer to 100 cm in drier areas like the Wheaton.

The recent snow has been fresh and soft. Forecast southwest winds, whenever they hit, will build wind slabs and cornices.

Below this surface snow lies a widespread melt-freeze crust. The crust has been reported up to 1400 m in the Wheaton Valley, up to 1800 m near the Alaska border. The main concern is newly-formed wind slabs sitting on this crust.

The lower snowpack is generally settled and strong after a massive storm at the beginning of December. However, there is potential for weak snow at the bottom of the snowpack in colder drier areas such as the Wheaton Valley. 

Terrain and Travel

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Avoid terrain traps where the consequence of any avalanche could be serious.
  • Avoid shallow, rocky areas where the snowpack transitions from thick to thin.

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.