Haines Avalanche Center

Forecast as of 02/05/2020 at 8:00 am and expires on 02/05/2020

Above 2,500ftNone

1,500 to 2,500ftNone

Below 1,500ftNone

Degrees of Avalanche Danger

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme

Avalanche Problems

Problem 1

Wind Slab:

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Problem 2

Deep Slab:

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Avalanche Activity

Observations have been thin due to weeks of bad weather.

Photo: Large natural slide near Chuck Creek/Dick Creek submitted to HAC in early January.

Three people were buried by a slide near the Chuck Creek trailhead on Dec. 30th, with 1 survivor. More information available on our Accidents page.

Please report any observed avalanche activity on our observations page.

Weather

December and January were good to the Haines side (south side) of the Pass: 7-15 feet of snow fell. Sadly this plentiful snowfall didn’t make it up to the higher elevations in the Pass itself, which had strong north winds strip away most of the new snow.

The last week featured continued light-moderate snowfall and variable winds. Looking ahead: expect a few more inches of snow Wednesday-Thursday before a brief clearing trend Friday-Saturday. A new storm is likely Saturday evening.

   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+” 5″ / 0.40* 8″ / 0.70 * 1000 Mod, S 2″ / 0.10    *
Flower Mountain @ treeline
  72″ 1″ / 0.10  3″ / 0.20  1000 Mod, S 2″ / 0.10     *
Chilkat Pass @ 3,100ft
  24″ 1″ / 0.05  2″ / 0.10  1000 Mod, S 1″ / 0.10   *

( *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

Details about the Dec. 30 fatal avalanche can be found on our Accidents page.

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.