Hatcher Pass

Due to poor visibility on Thursday and Friday we did not observe any potential recent avalanches that we anticipated seeing after the 2/22 storm. For avalanches earlier in the week check out recent observations and Thursdays forecast here.

The 2/22 HP special brought 8-12″ of new snow to the forecast area depositing more snow below 2500′ and less snow above 3500′. The southwest flow did not bring as much precipitation as expected but is a good start to covering bare ridges and tundra exposed from the last several winds events.  During field observations the latter part of this week we observed storm snow bonding fairly well to underlying firm crusts that formed during the “February warm-up” 2/12-19.  In most locations we do not expect the storm snow to act cohesive enough to behave like a slab.  The exception to this is isolated locations where short duration strong winds formed more cohesive slabs on leeward (west to north- clockwise) aspects.  Cooler temperatures this weekend will assist the slabs in “losing density and drying out” which will lead to excellent riding conditions.

The saying, “low danger does not mean no danger” is a good reminder to maintain good travel habits.  Watch for any red flags like cracking and collapsing and use safe travel protocol including only exposing one person at a time, having escape routes planned, spotting our partners and using safe zones appropriately.

Storm Slabs

Triggering a lingering slab will be unlikely today in most locations.  It may be possible to trigger a 6-8″ thick lingering small slab in terrain 35º and steeper where storm snow is sitting on a uniform firm crust in isolated locations or extreme terrain or locations that received wind combined with new snow at the beginning of the storm. Pole tests, hand shears and instability tests will give you good information as to whether a cohesive slab exists or not. Our hasty tests and snowpit results on Friday revealed good bonding between the old and new snow with no propagation in our pits.

Dry Loose

8-12″ of new snow from 2/22 has been “drying out or losing density” due to colder temperatures over the past 48 hours. Small dry loose avalanches will be possible to human trigger in terrain 40º and steeper in isolated and extreme terrain. Any sluff is expected to be small and manageable but could increase in size over the next couple days with colder temperatures forecasted.