Bulletin d’avalanche

Hatcher Pass

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Thu
Alpin
2 · Modéré
Limite forestière
2 · Modéré
Sous la limite
1 · Faible
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Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré 7 months ago. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

Avalanche danger will be on the rise as we close out the week. Light snowfall today precedes a warm southerly storm set to impact the Mat-Su on Thursday and Friday.

The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 2500', where accumulating snow today could create isolated Storm Slabs, and triggering a deeper Persistent Slab avalanche remains possible. The danger is LOW elsewhere. 

Look for cracking and collapsing, as well as recent avalanches, as these are signs of increased avalanche activity. Travel one at a time and choose slopes with open runouts. Before committing to steep slopes, assess the snowpack for buried weak layers. You can simplify your decision-making by seeking lower-angle slopes or slopes free of terrain traps and exposed rocks. 

Today, accumulating snow could produce shallow instabilities, but the warm system approaching could more dramatically test buried weak layers and create larger avalanches. 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Join us tonight for January's State of the Snowpack chat at the Blue and Gold Boardshop in Wasilla with guest speaker Adam Smith, the mountain manager from Skeetawk.  

Winter is here! Come and celebrate with us at the 8th Annual HPAC Cabin Fever Reliever on Saturday, February 7th! More info and tickets here. 

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Likely
    Taille
    1–1.5

    By the end of the day, Hatcher Pass could pick up another 6-8'' of snow. A skier or rider could trigger a small avalanche within this new snow. As you climb in elevation or into wind-drifted terrain, these slides could become larger and easier to trigger.

    • At low elevations and in sheltered terrain, there will be less snow, and it will be less reactive, but in steep terrain, you could trigger small loose snow avalanches or sloughs.
    • As you climb in elevation into more wind-exposed terrain, stiffer, more sensitive slabs could be possible. These areas are where you might trigger an avalanche that could injure a skier or rider—especially on slopes with gullies, concavities, or cliffs. Cracking and collapsing within the new snow is a red flag and means instabilities exist and avalanches are more likely.

    Graphic courtesy NWS

    Photo: HPAC

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Possible
    Taille
    1–2

    It has been almost a week since a human-triggered avalanche was reported; however, skiers and riders continue to report widespread collapsing across the forecast area. This is enough to keep this problem on the list, and triggering a slide up to 2.5' feet deep remains possible. 

    • Avalanches will be more likely on slopes steeper than about 30 degrees. 
    • Whumphing and collapsing of the snowpack are indications that there is weak snow failing near the ground. 
    • You may be able to trigger slides in gullies, alpine bowls, or on convex rolls where December's wind formed smooth, firm slabs over weak snow below.
    • New snow avalanches could step down into old buried weak layers, increasing avalanche size and consequence. 

    Before committing to steep slopes, take the time to dig down and assess for these weak layers. You can decrease your risk by riding slopes one at a time and choosing slopes free of exposed rocks, cliffs, or gullies. 

    Photo: Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

Avalanche Discussion

Recent Avalanches:

On Thursday, January 8th, a party triggered a small avalanche on the bench below Microdot that failed on a persistent weak layer. See all recent observations here. 

Régions couvertes