Hatcher Pass

unHappy Halloween!

HEADS UP for a big change for the worse!

This weekend’s weather is not cooperating entirely for our winter recreation. The beautiful powder and generally stable avalanche conditions we have been enjoying are gone.

Strong ESE winds yesterday and today, gusting up to 48mph, have scoured  upper elevation ridgelines and redistributed snow resulting  in wind slab avalanche conditions  in specific locations, on the leeward aspects, generally WNW. If you encounter stiff snow with cracking or collapsing, that is a red flag for dangerous avalanche conditions that will be possible to human trigger and large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person. This avalanche problem should decrease quickly with warmth and time, as long as winds subside.

Additionally, glide crack avalanches have been releasing naturally and unpredictably due to so much unseasonably warm weather. This pattern will continue until temperatures drop substantially and for a prolonged period of time. A new glide released on a steep sidewall in Fishhook Creek near the trail head starting point for approaching the winter road to Hatcher Pass and $1000 run. Glide avalanches will be difficult to predict, random distribution, and large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person. This problem exists anywhere where there is snow, and a steep enough slope angle for snow to slide (and creep).

Glde Crack Avalanche Fishhook Creek sidewall, ENE, 2700′

Warm temperatures have brought rain to the lower elevations and a mix of snow and rain in the mid elevations.  A dusting of new snow will have accumulated overnight in the upper elevations, but will be wind effected. Last night the rain snow line was around 2700′.

Yesterday Independence Mine Snotel recorded a high of 35°F and today the temperatures are cooler, hovering around freezing. Today and tonight’s  NOAA forecast is calling for 31°F at 3000′ with winds SE 10-27mph, tapering tonight.

The next pulse of significant snow is forecasted for Monday with the potential for 2-4″ of snow and cooler temperatures.

If you are getting out and about in the backcountry, or if you witness or see signs of recent avalanches, please share your observations with HPAC HERE. To view recent observations, click on the tab below.

The NOAA recreational forecast is up and running again for the season, which started October 26th. You can find this specific HP REC forecast in the weather tab below.

Regular forecasts will start mid-November. Until then continue to check back here for conditions updates.