Bulletin d’avalanche

Hatcher Pass

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Sun
Alpin
4 · Fort
Limite forestière
4 · Fort
Sous la limite
4 · Fort
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Points saillants

Avalanche hazard is HIGH for all elevations.

A major winter storm has brought 30" of snow with 6" SWE to Hatcher Pass since 1/22.

Widespread natural avalanche activity is expected, with large to very large avalanches.

Travel in avalanche terrain is NOT recommended. 

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Come celebrate with us after this storm doubles our snowpack at the Cabin Fever Reliever Feb 1st!

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Very Likely
    Taille
    2–3

    We saw evidence of large to very large natural persistent slab avalanches that crossed the upper road and ran nearly to valley bottom on Friday. Today, we expect more of the same. Natural avalanches will be likely and human triggered avalanches will be very likely to trigger with the larger more consequential ones above 3500'. With an additional 30" of new snow and 6" of SWE since 1/22, slabs will be 2.5 to 5 feet deep, easily capable of burying injuring or killing a person.  Expect avalanches to be larger and to have the potential to run further into valley bottoms and cross the road again today.

    Some uncertainty exists with the amount of new snow we expect today. We may see an additional 4-6" of new snow today or more above 3500' with 1-2" of SWE expected through early tomorrow. Unfortunately, rain will likely reach upwards of 3000'. Winds will be strong with gusts of 40-50mph above 2500'.  This weather will continue to contribute to the avalanche problem, with dangerous avalanche conditions expected through the weekend. 

    Today is not a day to be in the mountains. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. 

    Very large naturals from 1/23-24 on the South face of Government Peak S,SE aspects 3900'

    HS-N-D3-G

    Photo: Allie Barker

  • Storm Slabs

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

    With additional snow over the last 24 hours, expect storm slabs 4-20" thick to be likely to human trigger on all aspects at all elevations. Storm slabs will be thicker at upper elevation where more snow has been deposited. We observed several natural storm slabs on Friday. The biggest concern remains storm slabs stepping down into the persistent slab. 

    WIND SLAB: Winds have picked up with intensity over the last 10 hours and are expected to be strong throughout the day. Winds slabs will build in size and sensitivity throughout the day, primarily on west to north aspects at upper elevation. The biggest concern for wind slabs is adding enough stress to the snowpack to step down to the persistent slab problem, increasing the size and consequence of the avalanche problem. 

    WET AVALANCHES: I have never forecasted for a wet avalanche problem in January, but it should be on our radar for low elevation. With temperatures rising through the day, rain on snow will weaken grains and increase the likelihood for avalanches below 2500'. 

    Friday's observation and avalanche photos HERE. 

Régions couvertes