Hatcher Pass

The avalanche danger is LOW throughout the forecast area. 

Over the last several days, a few inches of new snow and periods of strong winds have eroded and exposed old crusts and distributed thin, smooth drifts on leeward aspects. 

Low elevations have remained at or above freezing and received little to no new snow. 

The higher you get today, the more avalanche problems you'll encounter. 

A brief period of sun today will improve skiing conditions and increase the likelihood of triggering an avalanche. 

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This is HPAC's last regular forecast of the season. Look out for our Spring Outlook next week. Thank you for submitting your observations! We will continue to publish observations as long as they are submitted. Please consider donating to support HPAC!

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Continued unsettled weather has brough us 5" of new snow at upper elevations over the last several days.  Earlier in the week, strong southeast winds eroded windward slopes and created some smooth drifts and thin slabs on leeward aspects. The forecast area is now a mix of these thin, sporadic drifts amongst variably breakable crusts and growing patches of rocks and tundra. Today looks to be a brief but welcome respite from the poor visibilty with some clearer skies this morning before returning to increasing clouds, gap winds and chances for precipitation. 

Triggering an avalanche today is unlikely, but will increase with elevation and daytime warming.

LOOSE AVALANCHES:  Recent snow fell on firm crusts that will easily sluff on steep solar aspects as the day warms up. Sun effect and daytime warming will increase the likelihood of triggering a wet loose avalanche on steep southerly slopes. Small natural activity will also be likely.  Look out for rollerballing and point release wet loose sluffs on steep, rocky, solar aspects above 3000'. If the slope you're on becomes punchy or unsupportable, move to another aspect or lower-angle terrain. 

SLAB AVALANCHES: Strong winds on Wednesday and Thursday transported all available snow to leeward aspects above 2500'. Parties out this week observed slabs formed by these winds to be stubborn or unreactive, and isolated to skis or snowboard. These slabs formed on a variety of surfaces that include thin melt-freeze crusts on top of small grained facets. While they will be very small and isolated, it remains a possiblity to trigger a slab on steep terrain features on upper elevation west through northeast facing slopes.

CORNICES: Temperatures are rising and sagging cornices continue to pose a greater risk.  When they might release is unpredictable, so limit your time below them and avoid tranveling on or near them from the ridge.   

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RECENT AVALANCHES: A few small natural wet loose avalanches were observed on Friday.