Haines Avalanche Center
Above 2,500ftHigh
1,500 to 2,500ftHigh
Below 1,500ftHigh
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
Widespread avalanche cycle began early Saturday morning with heavy precipitation, rising temperatures, and moderate to strong winds. Expect heavy new snow to produce heightened avalanche activity as it loads weak/facetted snow from the prior cold, dry spell over the November 25/26th rain crust.
Weather
We had a very wet October and November, with snow levels about 1,000ft above average, near 3500ft. Above that level there was good accumulation, with almost nothing below it. December has started off with some drier and cooler weather that today turned wet and windy.
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 |
10″ | N/A | N/A | 2500 | moderate | 12″/ 1.20 * |
Flower Mountain @ treeline |
24″ | 13″ / 1.30 | 0″ / 0.00 | 2500 | moderate | 16″/ 1.60 * |
Chilkat Pass @ 3,100ft |
12″ | >5″ / 0.50 | 0″ / 0.00 | 2500 | moderate, E | 16″/ 1.60 * |
( *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.
Alerts
…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM AKST SUNDAY…