Haines Avalanche Center

Forecast Expired - 02/21/2020

Above 2,500ftHigh

1,500 to 2,500ftHigh

Below 1,500ftModerate

Degrees of Avalanche Danger

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. From the 14th-16th, temperatures dropped into the teens and a few inches of new snow fell on top of the re-frozen snowpack. 

Over the last 4 days, 1.5-2″ of new SWE has fallen over the area. Snow levels started out near 1500ft Tuesday/Wednesday, and dropped to sea level Thursday. This resulted in a few inches of snow in town, and up to 2 feet of fresh snow above 1000ft.

Weather Forecast for Friday: Occasional snow showers, 0-3″ of snow accumulation.

Weather Forecast for Saturday (Kat to Koot Race Day Forecast): Mostly cloudy with occasional snow showers. 0-2″ accumulation. Moderate SE winds decreasing in the afternoon. Alpine temperatures near 25F.

   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+” 14″ / 1.20* 22″ / 1.90 * 0 Mod, SE 2″ / 0.15    *
Flower Mountain @ treeline
 72″ 6″ / 0.50  10″ / 1.00  0 Mod, SE 1″ / 0.10     *
Chilkat Pass @ 3,100ft
 29″ 6″ / 0.40  8″ / 0.70  0 Mod, SE 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

Click the – Full Forecast – button for the Kat-to-Koot Alpine Adventure Race forecast.