Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
Hatcher Pass

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ARCHIVED - Forecasts expire after 24 hours.
Issued
Sat, April 9th, 2022 - 7:00AM
Expires
Sun, April 10th, 2022 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Allie Barker
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line
The snowpack is generally stable and the avalanche danger is LOW.
Winter is not over yet! Expect significantly cooler weather over the next several days with lows in the single digits and daytime temps well below freezing.
Conditions include the worst to the best that you can imagine from firm crusts to protected powder. Choosing the appropriate aspect will be key today!
Remember that risk is inherent in mountain travel and even a small avalanche can lead to a bad outcome in radical terrain.
Special Announcements

The HP Snow Riders are hosting their Hatcher Pass Boulder Dash Snowmachine Race today. Come support the Snow Riders! Expect the Goldmint lot to be packed!

The last forecast will be issued Saturday, April 16th. We will continue to maintain the observation platform. If you value your local avalanche center please consider donating before the end of season.

Sat, April 9th, 2022
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

No recent avalanches have been observed or reported since Monday/Tuesday.

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

The snow is generally stable and the avalanche danger is LOW.  Expect conditions to improve over the next several days as colder temps drive the faceting process with snow surfaces.

If traveling into the mountains today, here are a few pointers.

  • Give large cornices a wide birth, anticipate them breaking further back than you think
  • Head to northerly aspects above 3000′ to find good snow today
  • Don’t expect crusts to soften on east and south aspects today
  • Low angle terrain harnesses the best snow

Looking forward: Remember that we are currently in a lull with avalanche problems. A significant warm up combined with above freezing nighttime temps will shift the avalanche paradigm yet again. However, due to cooler temps it might be May before we see a big wet avalanche cycle. In the meantime, keep your head up and don’t let your guard down while maintaining safe travel protocol.

Weather
Sat, April 9th, 2022

NWS AVG Forecast here.

NWS Rec Forecast here.

NWS point forecast here.

State Parks Snow Report and Motorized Access information here.

Observations
Recent Observations for Hatcher Pass