Hatcher Pass

Problemi valanghivi

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Possible

  Dimensione

  1–2

  It will be possible to human trigger a persistent slab avalanche 1-2' deep in terrain 30 degrees and steeper today. The good news is this problem only exists in specific terrain: You are most likely to trigger a persistent slab avalanche in mid-upper elevation at or near ridgelines and in gullies on leeward or cross-loaded terrain where avalanches previously occurred in late January, leaving firm faceted bed surfaces or on firm, buried slabs of previously wind loaded snow. Avalanches are most likely to initiate on faceted snow grains above these sliding surfaces. Look out for hollow feeling, "punchy" snow over firm snow below as you assess slopes. 

  1.2" of SWE and 10-12" of snow at mid elevations has been a welcomed arrival this week bringing our March total snowfall close to 20". Gradual, small quantities of snow and cold temperatures allowed us to prolong the trend of good stability. We are now experiencing a paradigm shift: Moderate gusting strong winds on 3/18 gusted 30-51mph for 24 hours yesterday. Additionally, warmer temperatures earlier this week built or settled slabs from our trickled in March storm snow. While we are still zeroing in on the distribution of these persistent slabs, we know this structure now exists and have some bullseye data on this problem from last week (see avalanche discussion below). 

  This is the first avalanche problem we have forecasted since late January, following the historic storm cycle. After weeks of no human-triggered avalanches, it is a good idea to calibrate travel practices: Spot your partners, and avoid exposure to convex start zones and terrain traps when managing terrain. Travel from zones of safety to zones of safety. 

  

• 

  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Likely

  Dimensione

  1–2

  Forecasters observed the signs of our shift to true Spring-like conditions yesterday. Even with scattered clouds, by the early afternoon, the upper snowpack was showing tell-tale signs of warm-up instabilities: roller balls and pinwheels, wet-feeling surface snow, and natural wet loose point releases. 

  With partial sun forecasted for today and air temperatures in the 20s to 30s and rising, expect human-triggered wet loose avalanches to be possible today. You are most likely to trigger a wet loose avalanche on southerly terrain greater than 35 degrees. Light winds may keep wet loose activity from increasing but if the sun stays out by the afternoon, natural wet loose avalanches will be likely. 

  DRY LOOSE:

  Yesterday, a party triggered a small dry loose sluff in Eldorado Bowl. Dry loose avalanches will still be possible today, but with warmer temperatures are likely to be relatively small.You are most likely to encounter this problem in upper elevations terrain 40 degrees and steeper on northerly aspects.