Haines Avalanche Center

Forecast as of 03/02/2020 at 8:00 am and expires on 03/02/2020

Above 2,500ftNone

1,500 to 2,500ftNone

Below 1,500ftNone

Degrees of Avalanche Danger

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme

Avalanche Problems

Problem 1

Storm Snow:

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Problem 2

Persistent Slab:

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Avalanche Activity

Observations over the last week found D2-D3 natural avalanches in isolated pockets in the middle elevations (1500 to 3500 ft) in the Transitional and Lutak zones. These slides all occurred in wind-sheltered pockets tucked into micro terrain features. It is likely some of them ran on a buried surface hoar layer. (photo below)

Weather

The last 3 days have brought around 0.60″ of SWE in town, decreasing to around .20″ near the Pass. Southeast winds have been howling. Looking forward, temperatures will be dropping today with snow down to sea level by tonight. 2-6 inches of accumulation (possibly more) is likely Tuesday-Wednesday night before an arctic outbreak which is expected to begin Thursday, bringing clear, cold, drier weather.

   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
  >120″ 2″ / 0.20* 6″ / 0.60 * 1000 Strong, SE 2″ / 0.20    *
Flower Mountain @ treeline
  84″ 1″ / 0.10  4″ / 0.40  1000 Mod, SE 1″ / 0.10     *
Chilkat Pass @ 3,100ft
  35″ 1″ / 0.10  1″ / 0.10  1000 Mod, SE 0″ / 0.00   *

( *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

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