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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 18th, 2026–Apr 19th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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, Haines Pass, Chilkat Pass.

Wind slabs likely exist on steep north slopes, especially near ridgelines.

Brief periods of sun could quickly weaken the upper snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
  • We are uncertain due to a highly variable snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

No avalanche activity has been reported since Wednesday, when numerous loose wet avalanches were reported throughout the region.

Earlier in the week, several wind slab avalnches where reported in both Haines Pass and White Pass, including one that was remotely triggered and surprisingly large due to buried surface hoar.

If you’re heading into the backcountry, please consider submitting a MIN report—observations are particularly limited this time of year.

Snowpack Summary

Recent southwesterly winds have redistributed dry snow at higher elevations, forming wind slabs in leeward terrain. A layer of surface hoar persists beneath these slabs in isolated areas, roughly 30 to 60 cm deep. This layer appears most reactive on shaded, north-facing slopes, immediately below ridgetop features.

A variety of firm or crusty surfaces is likely on south-facing and lower-elevation terrain due to warming and solar input, as well as in exposed higher-elevation areas where wind scouring has occurred.

The lower snowpack remains weak and faceted, particularly in areas with a shallow overall snowpack.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy. Up to 4 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Monday
Mostly cloudy. Up to 3 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
  • Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.

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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.