Haines Avalanche Center

Forecast as of 2018-12-15 at 08:00 am and expires on 2018-12-16

Above 2,500ftConsiderable

1,500 to 2,500ftNone

Below 1,500ftNone

Degrees of Avalanche Danger

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme

Avalanche Problems

Problem 1

Persistent Slab:

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Problem 2

Wind Slab:

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Avalanche Activity

Sporadic natural storm slab avalanches were observed from the last week, size D2-D3 on wind loaded lee aspects and gullies (above 3000ft). Crowns were around 60-90cm thick. 

Weather

Saturday will be dry with increasing clouds as a new storm cylce begins Saturday night. 10-18″ of new snow is likely by Sunday night, with light-moderate north winds.  Light-moderate snow will continue to add up through Wednesday, with snow levels remaining at sea level.

   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
    22″ 0″ / 0.00  2″ / 0.10 0 mod, N 7″ / 0.60 *
Flower Mountain @ treeline
    32″ 0″ / 0.00 2″ / 0.10 0 light, NW 8″ / 0.70 *
Chilkat Pass @ 3,100ft
    25″ 0″ / 0.00 2″ / 0.10 0 light, NW 6″ / 0.50 *

( *star means meteorological estimate )

Additional Information

If you get out riding, please send in an observation!

Start the season with fresh batteries in your beacon, and do a rescue practice with your partners. Always carry a beacon, shovel, and probe, and KNOW HOW TO USE THEM.

Practice good risk management, which means only expose one person at a time to slopes 30 degrees and steeper, make group communication and unanimous decision making a priority, and choose your terrain wisely: eliminating unnecessary exposure and planning out your safe zones and escape routes.