Haines Avalanche Center

Forecast Expired - 02/21/2020

Above 2,500ftHigh

1,500 to 2,500ftHigh

Below 1,500ftConsiderable

Degrees of Avalanche Danger

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme

Avalanche Problems

Problem 1

Storm Snow:

Likelihood:

  • Almost Certain
  • Very Likely
  • Likely
  • Possible
  • Unlikely

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Problem 2

Persistent Slab:

Likelihood:

  • Almost Certain
  • Very Likely
  • Likely
  • Possible
  • Unlikely

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Weather

After a massive 8-10ft snow dump between January 19th-Feb 5th, warm weather brought light-moderate rain/snow mix up to 1,500ft from Feb. 6th-13th. Since then, temperatures dropped into the teens and a few inches of new snow fell on top of the re-frozen snowpack. 

Looking ahead, expect light snow showers above 1,500ft Wednesday, followed by another 1.2″ SWE Thursday. This will mean 1-3 feet of new snowfall above the rain line this week. Snow levels Thursday will be near 500ft. South winds will be moderate to strong. Cooler temperatures are likely for the weekend with a possible storm coming in on Saturday.

   Snow Depth [in] Last 24-hr Snow/SWE [in] Last 3-days Snow/SWE [in]  Today’s Freezing Level [ft]  Today’s Winds Next 24-hr Snow/SWE
Mount Ripinsky @ treeline
  120+” 10″ / 0.80* 12″ / 1.00 * 1500 Mod, S 3″ / 0.20    *
Flower Mountain @ treeline
  66″ 4″ / 0.40  5″ / 0.50  1500 Mod, S 1″ / 0.10     *
Chilkat Pass @ 3,100ft
  24″ 1″ / 0.10  2″ / 0.20  1500 Mod, S 0″ / 0.00   *

( *star means meteorological estimate )

Additional Information

Do a beacon check with your partners at the trailhead to ensure everyone is beeping and familiar with their equipment. Do a rescue practice / beacon practice at home. ALWAYS wear a beacon, shovel, and probe, and KNOW HOW TO USE THEM!

Education Calendar & Course Registration 2019-2020:
Haines Avalanche Rescue 01/18/2020- 

Announcements

The next update to the forecast will be Friday Feb. 21 for the Kat-to-Koot Alpine Adventure Race.

Due to limited funding this season, we will be issuing occasional advisories dependent on conditions. Click the -Full Forecast- button below for more details and to sign up for Rescue and Level 1 Courses. Please keep submitting your observations to keep everyone up-to-date on current conditions.