Avalanche forecast

Hatcher Pass

Issued Jan 11, 2025valid to Jan 12, 2025Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

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Avalanche danger

Sun

Alpine

3 · Considerable

Treeline

2 · Moderate

Below

1 · Low

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE for new WIND SLABS that formed overnight above 3500'.

A MODERATE hazard exists for PERSISTENT SLABS above 2500'.

Red flags for avalanche danger include recent avalanches, shooting cracks, and whumphing.

Another storm is on track for tonight through Sunday, with 75-95mph winds forecasted in Hatcher Pass.

Protected low angle terrain may hold yesterday's new snow, but not for long.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

If you are travelling to other regions to ride or ski in Alaska, please use caution. Many regions have HIGH or CONSIDERABLE danger, other areas do not have avalanche forecasts. Check out avalanche.org to find your local avalanche center. Be sure to assess the snowpack before entering avalanche terrain.

6 avalanche fatalities have been reported in the Lower 48 already this season. Click here for more information.

Avalanche problems

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Likely
Size
1
Strong winds with extreme gusts persisted overnight at upper elevation with the arrival of the first low pressure system this weekend. Southeast winds are reporting gusts 31-49mph on Marmot at 4500' and 40-63 mph on Hatch at 4561' over the last 10–12 hours. 4 to 9 inches of new snow from 1/7-10 is available for transport. Expect wind slabs 4-8" thick to be likely to human trigger on northwest to northeast aspects above 3500' on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Natural avalanches are possible. Triggering a wind slab will be smaller but possible at mid-elevation and unlikely at low-elevation. Winds will taper through the day today before the next wave of weather arrives late Saturday/early Sunday.

To identify wind slabs, look for hard snow sitting over weaker snow, smooth and rounded or lens shaped features. They may sound hollow or crack out from your ski tip as you travel across them. Shooting cracks or whumping are signs of instability and indicators of this avalanche problem.
Strong winds with extreme gusts reported on Hatch for 12 hours.

Photo: HPAC
Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
1–2
Persistent slabs 1 to 3 feet deep will be possible to human trigger on southwest to northeast aspects above 2500' today on slopes 30 degrees and steeper. The last reported avalanche activity occurred on 1/7 and 1/8. On 1/10 forecasters had propagation in their pits at 3500' on a NW aspect. Expect to find this problem where old stiff wind slabs from 1/5-7 are sitting over weaker sugary snow in specific locations. Last night's spike in wind has the potential to add enough stress to the snowpack to increase the likelihood of triggering a persistent slab on NW through NE aspects above 3500' today. If this doesn't happen today, expect the likelihood and consequence of this problem to increase on Sunday with stronger winds on the horizon.
Remotely triggered avalanche in NE Government bowl that occured 1/8.

Photo: Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center