Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

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ARCHIVED - Forecasts expire after 24 hours.
Issued
Sat, February 20th, 2021 - 7:00AM
Expires
Sun, February 21st, 2021 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Allie Barker
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

The avalanche danger is LOW today at all elevations and on all aspects today. It is unlikely a person will trigger an avalanche.  It will be possible to trigger small, slow moving, dry loose sluffs in isolated locations in terrain 40° and steeper.  We encourage using safe travel protocol no matter the danger.

6-7″ of new snow this week has dramatically improved conditions but has not eliminated rock hazards which are shallowly buried in much of the terrain at Hatcher Pass.

Special Announcements

Join us in celebrating the arrival of the HPAC Square Pow IPA from our local BearPaw Brewing.                                                                    $1 from every 16oz 4 pack sold will be donated to the HPAC! Pick up yours today!!


Join us on Zoom Sunday, February 28th at 7:00pm to meet the HPAC founders and forecasters! You’ll get a chance to meet Jed, Allie and Jake, and learn about the state of the snowpack in Hatcher Pass. This is a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of the current conditions, and get to know the folks who help keep us informed about backcountry conditions. Sign up is required, so stay tuned!

Sat, February 20th, 2021
Upper Elevation
Above 3,500'
1 - Low
Avalanche risk
Mid Elevation
2,500'-3,500'
1 - Low
Avalanche risk
Low Elevation
Below 2,500'
1 - Low
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

Several small natural dry loose avalanches (sluffs) were observed this week:

W/SW face of Marmot near the Lodge Run @3700′, 2/17

 

NW aspect of Marmot in Rae Wallace @4000′. Natural? 2/18 or 2/19?

 

E aspect on Skyscraper @3600′, 2/17?

A couple small natural wind slabs were observed on 2/17:

4068′ NE aspect, elevation unknown.

Marmot 4000’ SW face

One small human triggered wind slab was triggered this week. 

Marmot Mid Rib 3800’ W/NW Aspect: A small, sensitive, human triggered wind slab was observed up to 80’ in width in a cross loaded gully.

Avalanche Problem 1
  • Normal Caution
    Normal Caution
Normal Caution
Normal Caution means triggering an avalanche is unlikely but not impossible.
More info at Avalanche.org

Although the snowpack continues to have poor structure, it has been weeks since we’ve observed a significant avalanche. See obs. When we do not see avalanche hazards and obvious clues of instability it becomes easy to turn off our avalanche brains. Despite the low danger today and unlikely risk for triggering an avalanche, they are still possible in isolated or extreme terrain.

Loose snow avalanches 6-7″ of new snow this week, combined with last week’s well preserved 6-10″ will produce slow moving, low volume sluffs.  They will be possible to trigger in 40º+ steep protected, isolated or extreme terrain.

 

Weather
Sat, February 20th, 2021

Saturday, February 20, 2021

New snow totals: 2/18-2/19: 1-2″


Temperatures started the week in the low teens, with clear skies and sunny weather. As the week progressed a storm system began to move into the forecast zone. As the storm began to move closer to Hatcher Pass on Feb 15th, temperatures began to rise into the mid 20s. Early in the morning on Feb 16th snow began to fall and by the end of the day 5-6” of snow had accumulated. On Feb 17th moderate to strong SE winds, gusting 20-30mph for 8 hours transporting new snow and scouring ridge tops. The NWS is calling for light to variable winds today with temps 6-14ºF at 3000ft. Arctic air aloft will keep temps cold today with clouds rolling in Sunday evening bringing potential moisture early next week.


Marmot 4500′ Last 24 Hours:

 


NWS Rec Forecast here.

NWS point forecast here.

State Parks Snow Report and Motorized Access information here.

Observations
Recent Observations for Hatcher Pass