Haines Avalanche Center

Forecast as of 11/05/2020 at 08:00 AM and expires on 11/08/2020

Above 2,500ftNone

1,500 to 2,500ftNone

Below 1,500ftNone

Degrees of Avalanche Danger

Avalanche Problems

Problem 1

Wind Slab:

Northwest winds have been blowing 50-60mph for the last few days, causing major wind loading on Leeward slopes and building wind slab atop our thin alpine snowpack. All wind loaded slopes 30-degrees and steeper should be treated as suspect. Hand shears, quick pits, and test slopes will be helpful to judge strength and bonding of the recent slabs. Listen for collapsing and look for cracks as sure signs of instability. The cold weather and dry snow will mean layers aren’t bonding as quickly as we are used to. Carefully avoid terrain traps and gullies, and use extra caution in sparse trees. Steep openings in the trees with slabby surface snow will be a likely place to trigger an avalanche this weekend.

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Problem 2

Persistent Slab:

In areas above treeline, depth hoar exists at the ground beneath all the new snow. There is also likely a thin rain/melt-freeze crust above just above this depth hoar. This will be a problem on all aspects. Variability will be a large factor here, as the winds will have caused some areas to be quite deeply loaded, and other areas scoured. Be especially cautious of steep, heavily wind-loaded areas above treeline, and unsupported slopes. Convexities, where there is a steep rollover, will be a likely place to trigger a deeper slab that runs to the ground with high consequences.

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Weather

In October, we had a few solid snowfalls above 3,500ft, followed by a long period of cold, clear, dry conditions. On the 26th a brief warm up brought a rain/melt-freeze crust up to nearly 5,000ft. We then started November quite cold with a strong dump of 16-30″ (highest amounts in the Lutak zone), followed by a few more inches of fluff on top.

Since then, the mighty NW wind has been pounding the area with routine gusts of 50-60mph. Winds will become calm this weekend, and Saturday looks sunny. A quick but strong storm is on tap for Sunday, with another foot of snow likely, with temperatures warming to near freezing.

 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
 31″ 0″ / 0.00 4″ / 0.25 0 Mod, NW 0″ / 0.00    *
Flower Mountain @ treeline
 12″ 0″ / 0.00 5″ / 0.30 0 Mod, NW 0″ / 0.00    *
Chilkat Pass @ 3,100ft
 2″ 0″ / 0.00 2″ / 0.10 0 Mod, NW 0″ / 0.00   *

( *star means meteorological estimate )

Additional Information

It’s time to start thinking avalanche. Dust off your gear and make sure it is fully functional. Put new batteries in your beacons! Do a beacon practice to start the season and keep your skills fresh. If you head into the hills, watch out for avalanche conditions, and be especially careful of rocks and hidden hazards like crevasses beneath the snow. WEAR A HELMET!

Education Video Links:

Announcements

We have begun periodic conditions updates for winter 2020/2021. Click the + Full Forecast link below for each zone to read more.