Hatcher Pass

The avalanche danger is LOW as Hatcher Pass remains on the cusp of more active weather.

A dusting of new snow and some surface faceting has helped improve conditions across the forecast area.

Hard snow and shallow, isolated instabilities remain the biggest hazards while precipitation and warming avoid the region. 

Unsettled weather with some modest warming and a chance of snow showers will close out the weekend.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The last forecast of the season will be Sunday, April 20th with an additional Spring Outlook the following week. We will continue to publish observations as long as they are submitted. 

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The cooling trend that started last weekend has bottomed out with daytime highs about 20° cooler than they were a week ago. The melt-freeze crust that set up after last week's warming has been covered with an inch or two of windblown snow in most places and has begun to decompose with the recent cold temps. This scenario has helped improve riding conditions a fair bit, and with the addition of some sunshine and good visibility, folks were out enjoying the sunny spring day yesterday. But with temperatures as cool as they have been, even yesterday's sun wasn't enough to soften the snow at upper elevations. 

Today looks like a return to unsettled weather with building clouds, some modest warming, and increasing chances for precipitation. Easterly winds will be elevated today before beginning to back off again tomorrow. New snow and snow available for transport are all minimal and unlikely to change the hazard appreciably. Still, there are a few conditions to be aware of if you're heading into the backcountry:

WIND SLAB: Strong winds have drifted our recent dusting of new snow into small, shallow slabs. Forecasters have observed isolated cracking of these slabs both on and below the melt-freeze crust that formed last week. While small, isolated, and manageable, this problem could trip you up in steep or exposed terrain. You're most likely to find 1-3'' wind slabs on steep west to northeast aspects above 4000'. 

WET LOOSE: We may see some modest warming today as a low in the northern gulf draws warm air and moisture into the region. Light precipitation and temps above freezing at upper elevations may help initiate some loose activity on steep, rocky aspects. With our recent period of cool weather and a locked-up snowpack, it's unlikely for this problem to present itself, but if it does, it will remain in the top inch or two of snow only. 

CORNICES: Cornices are sagging and will begin to fail naturally with prolonged periods of increasing temperatures. Continue to give them a wide berth and limit your overhead exposure. 

HARD SNOW: Conditions are firm and a fall in steep or exposed terrain could result in a long slide. Use caution and when traveling through or descending this terrain. 

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RECENT AVALANCHES: Forecasters observed some dinner plating and sluffing from easily triggered wind slabs in the Lost Couloir yesterday. Overall no avalanches have been observed since the warming trend at the beginning of the month. See all recent observations here.