Haines Avalanche Center

Forecast Expired - 2019-03-17

Above 2,500ftHigh

1,500 to 2,500ftHigh

Below 1,500ftConsiderable

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

Problem 3

Wet Avalanches:

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Avalanche Activity

Natural and skier-triggered slides size D1-D2 were observed in low vis Thursday in the Lutak zone. Other observations have been limited. Sadly, there was an avalanche involvement at Mumford’s (Lutak Zone), Wednesday 3/13 with one fatality.

Weather

Our zones have seen 15-36″ of new snow in the last week (lowest amounts at the pass, highest in the Lutak zone). South winds have been howling out of the southeast. Periods of heavy Precipitation will continue Friday night and Sunday, with 1-3″ of additional SWE and snow levels rising to 2000ft Saturday, and up to 4000ft Sunday. 

 

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

90″

10″ / 0.80

22″ / 1.80

2000 rising to 4000ft sunday

strong, SE

12″ / 1.00 *
Flower Mountain @ treeline

61″

6″ / 0.60

17″ / 1.50

2000 rising to 4000ft sunday

strong, SE

12″ / 1.00 *
Chilkat Pass @ 3,100ft

42″

 2″ / 0.20

5″ / 0.45

2000 rising to 4000ft sunday

strong, SE

8″ / 0.75 *

( *star means meteorological estimate )

Additional Information

If you get out riding, please send in an observation!

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

All avalanche terrain should be avoided this weekend. This includes lower runout zones in valley bottoms.

Announcements

Details about Wednesday’s avalanche fatality will be updated on our accidents page: https://alaskasnow.org/haines-hac/haines-accidents/