Windslabs are the main problem to watch out for. Use extra caution around ridgetops, especially if you are seeing shooting cracks, or signs of recent avalanches.
Recent moderate to strong winds have been blowing from the southeast through southwest. Windslabs can be more reactive when they are fresh, so use extra caution if you can see blowing snow.
Watch for signs of instability, like shooting cracks or recent avalanches. Avoid steep, unsupported slopes that sound drum-like or hollow.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. 0-10 cm of snow expected. Moderate to strong south ridgetop winds. Freezing levels fall to valley bottom. Alpine low around -5 °C.
THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Moderate to strong southeast ridgetop winds. Freezing level rising to around 750 m. Alpine high around -2 °C.
FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Moderate southeast ridgetop winds. Freezing level around valley bottom. Alpine high around -3 °C.
SATURDAY: Scattered clouds. 0-5 cm of snow expected. Light to moderate southeast ridgetop wind. Alpine high around -4 °C.
No new avalanches were reported on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Over the weekend, avalanches to size 1 were observed along the Klondike Highway corridor on south and east aspects. Sensitive wind slabs to size 1.5 were reported in the White Pass area, from the switch to northwest winds.
If you head out into the mountains, please let us know what you see on the Mountain Information Network.
30-40 cm of recent snowfall sits over a wind pressed snowpack. Recent winds have varied from southwest to northwest, and redistributed this snow into wind slabs on all aspects in wind exposed areas. On steep, south facing terrain, wind slabs may sit over a crust, which is expected to bond slowly. At lower elevations, where the wind has been calmer, expect the surface snow to be less slabby.
The lower snowpack is thought to be well protected by the dense layers above, and it is unlikely that avalanches will be triggered on weak, sugary crystals near the ground at this time.
