Yukon

Expect conditions to change with elevation, aspect and time of day due to melt-freeze cycles. Reduce your time under large cornices, as strong solar radiation can cause them to collapse.

Numerous wet avalanches were reported from steep, south-facing slopes in the alpine due to strong solar warming. On Monday, several wind slab avalanches (size 1 to 2) were observed on north aspects, typically below cornices and in thin rocky features.

Outside the region, large persistent slabs were observed out of moraine features with shallow faceted snowpack.

Wind has redistributed recent snow, forming pressed surfaces and wind slabs in open terrain while leaving 15-25 cm of settled snow in sheltered areas. Wind slabs may be more predominant on the east side of White Pass where the wind hit harder. A melt-freeze crust covers most solar slopes.

A buried surface hoar or crust layer, 40 to 60 cm deep, is variable in distribution. A December crust with facets, 100 to 150 cm deep on all aspects up to 1750 m, has shown no significant test results.

Snow depth ranges from 100 cm at highway elevations to over 300 cm in the alpine.

Wednesday Night

Mainly clear. 10 to 25 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level returning to valley bottom.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with 3 to 5 cm of new snow. 40 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
• Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
• Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.