Haines Avalanche Center
Above 2,500ftHigh
1,500 to 2,500ftHigh
Below 1,500ftConsiderable
Degrees of Avalanche Danger
Avalanche Problems
Problem 1
Likelihood:
- Almost Certain
- Very Likely
- Likely
- Possible
- Unlikely
Size:
- Historic
- Very Large
- Large
- Small
Trend
- Increasing
- Steady
- Decreasing
Avalanche Activity
Reports from this weekend found more isolated recent surface slabs (D1-D2) in steep, wind loaded terrain (S-SE-E aspects). Also notable was whumphing in areas of thin snowpack in the alpine areas of the transitional zone, and widespread whumphing Tuesday (2/19) in the Lutak zone.
Over the last two-three weeks, we've had reports of isolated surface wind slab avalanches (D1-D2), both natural and human-triggered, in top-loaded and cross-loaded terrain between 2500-5000ft. Some wind slabs were sliding on low-angle slopes as low as 25 degrees, and appeared to be sliding on a buried surface hoar layer 10-30cm deep. Distribution of these avalanches was limited to wind loaded areas that had been protected from strong N/NW winds.
Weather
After 6 weeks of cold and mostly dry weather (including our least-snowy January on record), we're finally back into a snowier pattern. A strong front comes in Thursday. It looks like 5-10" is likely with this storm. The weekend is looking great for the Kat to Koot race: clear and chilly with moderate north winds.
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 |
56" | 0" / 0.00 | 6" / 0.50 | 0 | mod, SE -> NW | 10" / 0.80 * |
Flower Mountain @ treeline |
42" | 0" / 0.00 | 3" / 0.25 | 0 | mod, SE -> NW | 7" / 0.60 * |
Chilkat Pass @ 3,100ft |
27" | 0" / 0.00 | 1" / 0.05 | 0 | mod, SE -> NW | 5" / 0.40 * |
( *star means meteorological estimate )
Additional Information
If you get out riding, please send in an observation!
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.