Avalanche forecast

Hatcher Pass

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A High Wind Warning is in effect for the lower Matanuska Valley.

Our recent dusting of snow will be easily transported by today's intense winds. Expect blowing snow, cross-loading, and drifting on lee side slopes.  

The avalanche danger is MODERATE for WIND SLABS at upper elevations. 

Although the potential size remains small, the likelihood of triggering an avalanche today will increase. Even a small slide in rocky terrain could have poor consequences. 

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Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1

    Yesterday's light-density snowfall will be easily transported by today's strong winds. Expect blowing snow, cross loading, and drifting on upper elevation slopes lee to the East / NE.

    With our already low snow cover and relatively little snow for transport, expect new wind slabs to be relatively thin and isolated. Where northeasterly winds form slabs on top of old, firm bed surfaces formed earlier this month, expect instabilities to be increased. While the likelihood of triggering an avalanche will rise throughout the day, expect the size to remain relatively small. That said, triggering a dense wind slab could take you off your feet, and going for a ride in even a small avalanche in rocky terrain could lead to an injury.

    • Look for cracking in the newly drifted snow. Use caution when approaching slopes that have smooth, firm, or hollow-sounding slabs. 
    • Winds will be hectic, forming erratic wind slabs in gullies, concave terrain features, and on broad slopes lee to the east/northeast. 
    • Wind slabs will be thin and isolated. Likely 2-6'' thick. Loading will be more likely on westerly aspects but expect some blowing snow on all aspects.
    • The likelihood of triggering an avalanche is increasing, but the expected size remains small, 

     

    Photo: Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

    Forecasted wind speeds today through Monday.

Avalanche Discussion

Recent Avalanches:

There have been no natural or human-triggered avalanches observed since the weekend of December 6-7. See all recent observations here.

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