Hatcher Pass

Forecast Expired - 12/30/2018

Above 3,500ft Moderate

2,500 to 3,500ft Moderate

Below 2,500ftLow

Degrees of Avalanche Danger

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme

Avalanche Activity

A remotely triggered avalanche occurred yesterday, 12/28, on the SE face of Hatch Peak. See more details in the observation HERE.

A small, human triggered wind slab avalanche was reported on Sunday 12/23. See observations HERE.

No other avalanches have been reported.

Weather

NWS is calling for 3-4″ of new snow, cool temps and low wind speeds.

If we get more snow or stronger wind than predicted, expect the avalanche hazard to increase abruptly to CONSIDERABLE.

NWS Rec Forecast HERE

State Parks Snow Report and Motorized Access information HERE

Additional Information

Archived advisories HERE.

Alerts

BOTTOM LINE

The avalanche hazard is MODERATE this morning and may rise to CONSIDERABLE this afternoon, depending on the amount of accumulated new snow  and strength of the wind today.

A moderate hazard for human triggered avalanches 1-4 feet deep at mid to upper elevations exists. Avalanches will be possible to trigger this weekend and tricky to predict. REMOTELY triggered avalanches will be possible in some locations. Warning signs, such as whumphing and shooting cracks, may NOT be present.

AVOID STEEP SLOPES WITH TERRAIN TRAPS, and choose slopes with gentle, fanning runouts.

Moderate avalanche hazard does NOT equal safe conditions everywhere. Deciphering the avalanche puzzle will be challenging, with large (D2), human triggered avalanches possible on a multitude of weak layers in the snowpack for an avalanche to choose to fail on.

DONATE HERE

Announcements

Mark your calendars for the annual Hatcher Pass Avalanche Workshop coming up on Saturday January 19th.