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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 2nd, 2024–Mar 3rd, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Haines Pass.

Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported, but field observations have been extremely limited.

If you visit the area please consider submitting your observations to the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

North and east-facing terrain is very wind-affected with sastrugi, crust, or hard old wind slabs due to ongoing strong to extreme wind. In lower angle, wind-sheltered southwest through east-facing terrain you may find up to 20cm of soft facetted snow.

Cornices are large and looming and should be given a wide berth if traveling on ridgetops. The midpack is generally well settled with no significant layers of concern.

The base of the snowpack is made up of 20 to 30 cm of weak facets and depth hoar, which currently seem well bridged by overlying layers. Overall snowpack depths in sheltered areas are 200 to 300 cm. Click on the photo below for more details.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Partly clear. 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Alpine temperature around -20 °C

Sunday

A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Alpine temperature around -18°C

Monday

Mostly sunny. 20 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Temperature inversion with alpine temperature around -15 °C.

Tuesday

A mix of sun and cloud. 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Temperature inversion with alpine temperature around -15 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.