Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

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ARCHIVED - Forecasts expire after 24 hours.
Issued
Mon, February 18th, 2019 - 7:00AM
Expires
Tue, February 19th, 2019 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
HPAC Staff
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

BOTTOM LINE – UPDATED 9:30am

The avalanche hazard will remain elevated today, with CONSIDERABLE avalanche hazard at mid to upper elevations and Moderate avalanche hazard at low elevation.

Today is a tricky day, with clearing weather, a lot of new snow, human triggered avalanches likely, and natural avalanches possible. This is just the right combination to lure people into steeper, more dangerous terrain, where triggering large avalanches is likely.

If you do head into the backcountry, choose the lower elevation band, slopes 25 º or less steep, and not in the runnout of steeper slopes from above. Avalanches may be remotely triggered from the flats below, or from adjacent or connected terrain, and may run long distances.

Limited visibility and access to Hatcher Pass, due to heavy snow on the road, is limiting our ability to assess the current conditions. As soon as we can access HP and have visibility we will be providing updates.

Mon, February 18th, 2019
Upper Elevation
Above 3,500'
3 - Considerable
Avalanche risk
Mid Elevation
2,500'-3,500'
3 - Considerable
Avalanche risk
Low Elevation
Below 2,500'
2 - Moderate
Avalanche risk
0 - No Rating
1 - Low
2 - Moderate
3 - Considerable
4 - High
5 - Extreme
Avalanche risk Avalanche risk Avalanche risk Avalanche risk Avalanche risk
Travel Advice Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making essential. Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain.
Likelihood of Avalanches Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.
Avalanche Size and Distribution Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. Very large avalanches in many areas.
Recent Avalanches

Yesterday visibility was extremely poor for observing avalanche activity.

2/18 – A large rumble was heard near the Independence Mine indicating a large avalanche release on Skyscraper Mountain. Visibility was extremely poor all day.

2/17 –  a couple reports indicated natural avalanche activity on Marmot Mountain’s South aspect and in the Martin Mine area. Again visibility was a limitation, but a large natural avalanche appeared to leave debris at the base of the Martin Mine area near the Independence Mine Bowl.

Weather
Mon, February 18th, 2019

Storm totals we have been tracking at Independence Mine

2/16-17 – 5.5″

2/17-18 – 14″

2/18-19 – 5-6″

Total approximate accumulation 25.5″


NWS Rec Forecast HERE


NWS point forecast HERE


State Parks Snow Report and Motorized Access information HERE


TREND – The avalanche hazard will remain the same through today and will rise again tomorrow with a new storm system bringing more snow.

The road was plowed yesterday to Goldmint. It is not expected to be plowed today as new snow in town has reset the plow clock. Priority roads need to be cleared before plows can make it to Hatcher Pass. The plows would like to get a single pass up to the top of the road, but resources are limited today. Any new snow in town, will reset the plow clock again.

 

Observations
Recent Observations for Hatcher Pass