Midweek Snow and Avalanche Summary 2/28

Hatcher Pass

Forecast as of 02/28/2019 at 07:00 and expires on 03/01/2019

Above 3,500ft None

2,500 to 3,500ft None

Below 2,500ftNone

Degrees of Avalanche Danger

Avalanche Activity

Large human-triggered slab avalanche on Feb. 23 on Lone Tree Gulch, southeast aspect, 3800′.

Large remotely human-triggered slab avalanche on Feb. 23 near the Dnigi Hut

Many small wet loose avalanches observed Monday February 25th on Didilkama, ~5000′, south and southwest aspects

Numerous small wet loose avalanches observed Tuesday February 26th from 4500′-5000′ elevation on south and southwest aspects in the Rock Gardens and off the Pinnacle

Numerous small and large wet loose avalanches observed on Wednesday February 27th, that are believed to have occurred Tuesday February 26th. Marmot, southwest to west aspect, ~4000′.

Weather

Weather History

Weather at 3450′ since Saturday 2/23:

Temperatures averaged 25°F, with a low of 18°F and a high of 35°F.

Winds averaged N 4 mph, max 6 mph. Max gusts recorded were N 10 mph .

There has been no snow recorded at Independence Mine.

Weather at 4500′ since Saturday 2/23:

Temperatures averaged 15°F, with a low of 19°F and a high of 37°F.

Winds averaged E to SSE 2 mph, max 6 mph. Gusts averaged E to SSE 4 mph, max gust 11 mph.

Forecast Weather

Stay tuned to the NOAA point forecast for an updated weather forecast each day. The best way to see if it’s snowing in Hatcher Pass is to look at the webcam snow stake HERE and the Independence Mine SNOTEL site HERE

State Parks Snow Report and Motorized Access information can be found here.

Announcements

This information is a Conditions Update. Danger ratings are only issued with avalanches advisories. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday March 2, 2019.

Previous avalanche advisories HERE

MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY

With daytime temps nearing reaching 40°F, heightened avalanche conditions exist on steep southerly terrain. Human-triggered and natural wet loose avalanches will be possible in the afternoon on steep southerly slopes above 40° at all elevations. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, identifying features of concern.

Skiers and riders have enjoyed excellent snow conditions and fair weather, skiing and riding steep slopes across Hatcher Pass with only isolated reports of human-triggered avalanches since the last snowfall February 18th. The last reported human-triggered avalanches occurred February 23rd near Dnigi Hut and in Lone Tree Gulch.

There have been widespread natural small (D1) to large (D2) wet loose avalanches on steep southerly aspects February 25th and 26th with temperatures warming above freezing.

This report is a mid-week conditions update, so please be sure to check hpavalanche.org for advisories on Saturdays and follow the HPAC Facebook for updates. Help us keep tabs on the Hatcher Pass area! If you see any avalanche activity send us an observation HERE. Thank you to everyone who has already submitted observations this season – you can see those HERE!

Join us in partnership with the Anchorage chapter of American Society of Mechanical Engineers in hosting Dr. Edward Adams of Montana State University for a presentation on the micro-structures of snow and how it relates to the snow cover we love to play on.