Haines Avalanche Center

Forecast Expired - 2018-12-02

Above 2,500ftModerate

1,500 to 2,500ftLow

Below 1,500ftLow

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

Avalanche Activity

There was a widespread avalanche cycle on Nov. 26th, as the last storm warmed up bringing rain-on-snow up to 4500ft. D2-D3 Wet slabs occurred on all aspects above 3500ft. Crown depths were around 30cm, with the failure layer being weak/facetted snow sitting on our previous rain crust.

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 into November.  

   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
 8" 0" / 0.00 0" / 0.00 0 calm 0"/ 0.00 *
Flower Mountain @ treeline
  11" 0" / 0.00 0" / 0.00 0 calm 0"/ 0.00 *
Chilkat Pass @ 3,100ft
  5" 0" / 0.00  0" / 0.00 0 calm 0"/ 0.00 *

( *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.