Although the snowpack in the northern area of the Yukon Region is shallow, there is now enough snow in wind deposited terrain features to create avalanches.
Winter hiking is still very much possible. Best to stick to scoured, snow-free features like ridge lines to gain your summits and consider traveling with avalanche rescue equipment and practice companion rescue techniques.
The shallow snowpack in the area can give the impression that there is not yet enough snow to produce avalanches. However, continued variable winds have deposited snow up to 100cm deep into cohesive slabs in isolated terrain features such as steep alpine bowls and upper treeline gullies.
No avalanches have been reported from these areas. This is likely due to the shallow snowpack limiting riding opportunities for the time being. If you find yourself in the Wheaton Valley, Powder Valley, or Paddy Peak areas, please submit a report to the Mountain Information Network.
The snowpack in areas including the Wheaton Valley, Powder Valley, and Paddy Peak continue to be shallow and highly wind affected. At tree line, there is about 30cm of snow on the ground, while at higher elevations, the snow has been scoured to the ground in exposed areas and deposited up to 100cm deep in lee features. It is in these deeper, deposited areas that avalanches are now possible.
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with only trace amounts of snow. Light to moderate southwest winds and temperatures around -5 C.
Thursday
Cloudy with only trace amounts of snow. Light to moderate southwest winds and temperatures around -5 C.
Friday
Flurries taper in the morning and Arctic air moves in bringing clear skies by the afternoon. Winds light from the Northeast. Temperatures will plummet to around -20 C by the end of the day.
Saturday
Mainly clear skies. Temperatures in the -20 to -25 C range, with light Northeasterly winds.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
