Haines Avalanche Center

Forecast as of 01/21/2020 at 8:00 am and expires on 01/21/2020

Above 2,500ftNone

1,500 to 2,500ftNone

Below 1,500ftNone

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

Problem 2

Deep Slab:

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Avalanche Activity

At the Chilkat Pass, several D2-D3 natural avalanches were observed Dec 31-Jan 1st.  Slabs were around 1m deep and running on a midpack weak layer (possibly buried surface hoar in wind-protected areas), and also on a rain crust/facets near the ground.

Photo: Large natural slide near Chuck Creek/Dick Creek submitted to HAC this week.

Three people were buried by a slide near the Chuck Creek trailhead on Dec. 30th, with 1 survivor. More information available on our Accidents page.

Please report any observed avalanche activity on our observations page.

Weather

The storm track is anchored right on Haines, and looks to stay that way for a while. We received 12-24″ of snow down to sea level Sunday-Monday, and snow will begin again tonight, lasting through at least Sunday. 24-36″ additional snowfall is expected over the mountains through Sunday, with 12-24″ in the valley bottoms.

December brought 4-9 feet of new snow (highest amounts near Haines,  least amounts at the Pass). Rain levels reached as high as 3000ft briefly at the end of December. Early January brought arctic cold, and very strong NW winds that stripped away a lot of snow at the Pass.

   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
  77″ 4″ / 0.30 21″ / 1.30  0 light, NW 2″ / 0.10    *
Flower Mountain @ treeline
  51″ 3″ / 0.20  10″ / 0.50  0 light, NW 2″ / 0.10     *
Chilkat Pass @ 3,100ft
  15″ 2″ / 0.10  2″ / 0.10  0 light, NW 1″ / 0.10   *

( *star means meteorological estimate )

Additional Information

Do a beacon check with your partners at the trailhead to ensure everyone is beeping and familiar with their equipment. Do a rescue practice / beacon practice at home. ALWAYS wear a beacon, shovel, and probe, and KNOW HOW TO USE THEM!

Education Calendar & Course Registration 2019-2020:
Haines Avalanche Rescue 01/18/2020- 

Announcements

Details about the Dec. 30 fatal avalanche can be found on our Accidents page.

Due to limited funding this season, we will be issuing occasional advisories dependent on conditions. Click the -Full Forecast- button below for more details and to sign up for Rescue and Level 1 Courses. Please keep submitting your observations to keep everyone up-to-date on current conditions.