Yukon

Heightened avalanche conditions exist on wind-loaded slopes after strong outflow winds have hammered the region.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Clear skies, no precipitation, 20-40 km/h wind from the northeast, treeline temperatures drop to -15 C.

WEDNESDAY: Sunny, no precipitation, 20-30 km/h wind from the northeast, treeline temperatures reach -10 C.

THURSDAY: Clear skies in the morning then increasing cloud in the afternoon, no precipitation, light wind from the north, treeline temperatures reach -8 C.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with scattered flurries, up to 5 cm of new snow, light wind from the northeast, treeline temperatures around -10 C.

A very large cornice-triggered wind slab avalanche (size 3) was observed near White Pass on Tuesday and a few small human-triggered wind slabs (size 1) were reported during the outflow wind event on Monday. A few other large cornice failures were observed on Sunday.

Strong northerly wind has affected most surfaces and left some large wind slabs in isolated alpine terrain. Sun crusts are found up to 1200 m on south and west facing slopes, while surfaces on other aspects are dry. The snowpack is strong with no weak layers of concern at this time.

Cornices are very large and exposure to them should be minimized, especially during warm or windy weather.

• Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
• Cornices often break further back than expected; give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgetops.