Avalanche forecast

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Haines Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Today's 2-6" of new  snowfall and south winds will cause rapid changes in conditions. Expect newly wind loaded slopes to be tender and slabby, with small human-triggered avalanches likely if enough new snow piles up. Natural avalanches are possible above treeline on steep, loaded aspects and gullies. Stay out of terrain traps where even a small slide can pile up deep enough to bury a person. Stick to the trees where you'll have enough visibility to ride and shelter from the winds.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    South/Southeast winds will be loading heavy, wet storm snow into exposed gullies, and below terrain features and ridges in the alpine. These specific areas are where you're most likely to trigger an avalanche, and should be avoided. Low visibility in the alpine can be a hazard by itself, especially if you end up on a wind loaded or corniced slope because you can't see well enough to avoid it.

    Photo: Sawtooth Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

This week brought about 2" of SWE (2 ft of new snow above 1500ft), and the rain line briefly rose to 3000ft on the 5th before coming back down to sea level. The snowpack underneath the new snow is generally crusty, slabby, and moderately well bonded. Observations from both Lutak and the Pass found brittle slabs without much propagation potential. There is some minor development of facets near the ground, but we are not seeing activity on this layer yet. Overall, the new snow is the main concern until we get a heavier load or a major storm to move in. 

The snow is still thin, so watch out for rocks, branches, and logs!

Let's be patient out there and take it one week at a time. We still have a thin snowpack and early season conditions. You don't want to ruin your season with an injury. 

Help us make sense of what's going out there by reading and submitting observations.

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