Haines Avalanche Center

Forecast as of 2018-11-19 at 12:00 pm and expires on 2018-11-19

Above 2,500ftNone

1,500 to 2,500ftNone

Below 1,500ftNone

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

Wet Avalanches:

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Avalanche Activity

Natural wet slabs, storm slabs, and loose slides have been occurring during recent storms, all size D2-D3. Most of these have been occurring on steep, wind loaded north aspects above 4,500ft. In areas of slick ground or bare rock/unsupported slopes, some of these slides failed at the ground.

Weather

We had a very wet October, with snow levels about 1,000ft above average, near 3500ft. Above that level there was good accumulation, with almost nothing below it. This trend has continued so far into November. This last week brought heavy precipitation in the Lutak and Transitional zones, but sadly snow levels rose to near 5,000ft Sunday night. A cooling trend is beginning, with snow levels beginning to drop towards 1500ft by Tuesday.

   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
6″ 0″ / 0.10 7″ / 1.75 4,500 -> 3,000 light, SE 0″/ 0.80 *
Flower Mountain @ treeline
 6″ 0″ / 0.10 4″ / 0.50 4,500 -> 3,000 light, SE 0″/ 0.40 *
Chilkat Pass @ 3,100ft
 1″ 0″ / 0.10  0.5″ / 0.15  4,500 -> 3,000 mod, SE 1″/ 0.30 *

( *star means meteorological estimate )

Announcements

Regular updates for this zone will begin as soon as snow coverage increases and we start getting in more reports from the public. If you get out riding, please send in an observation! Until then, please check the Chilkat Pass zone forecast, as it is being updated regularly.