Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center

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ARCHIVED - Forecasts expire after 24 hours.
Issued
Thu, May 2nd, 2019 - 7:00AM
Expires
Fri, May 3rd, 2019 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
HPAC Staff
Conditions Summary

The avalanche advisory season is over. No avalanche advisories are being issued at this time.

There is still a significant amount of snow at Hatcher Pass, and avalanches can continue to occur even though we are not issuing avalanche advisories.

Methodically check the recent observations for pertinent information on conditions and avalanches before heading into the backcountry HERE.

And check out the Utah Avalanche Center’s page with spring time tips as well. HERE

HPAC and the HP Advisory Board would like to THANK YOU, our community of supporters, donors, sponsors and observers who made this season successful! We could not have done it without you. It is a big hurdle and a major accomplishment to get through a year with touchy avalanche conditions and have everyone come home safely!

Avalanche Problem 1
  • Spring Conditions
    Spring Conditions
Spring Conditions
Warmth has a tricky effect on snow. On the one hand it speeds up the stabilization of the snowpack (reduces the chance of slab avalanches). But a SUDDEN rise of temperature increases the chance of slab avalanches considerably. When this warm period is followed by cooling down, then the chance of slab avalanches reduces. Even more so: the more often the temperature changes, the more stable the snowpack becomes when looking at slab avalanches. Once the temperature becomes too warm we have to deal with wet snow avalanches.
More info at Avalanche.org

Check the weather stations regularly, watch the weather patterns, look specifically for rapid weather changes which could trigger or increase the likelihood for avalanche activity.

Watch for red flags that indicate the potential for avalanches:

  • Recent avalanches
  • Cracking and/or collapsing
  • New precipitation, rain, snow
  • Wind loading
  • Rapid warming or thawing

As the spring season continues, expect consecutive overnight non-freezing temperatures and warm days to eventually trigger a shedding avalanche cycle.

Pay specific attention to wet loose avalanches, wet slab avalanches, and cornice failures as spring temperatures continue to climb and overnight freezes diminish.

For more details on spring conditions, check out the Chugach Avalanche Center’s Spring Time Avalanche Tips. There’s a stack of detailed, useful information to study up on! HERE

Weather
Thu, May 2nd, 2019

NWS Rec Forecast here.

NWS point forecast here.

State Parks Snow Report and Motorized Access information here.

Observations
Recent Observations for Hatcher Pass