Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
Hatcher Pass

Hatcher Pass RSS

Archives
ARCHIVED - Forecasts expire after 24 hours.
Issued
Sun, December 30th, 2018 - 7:00AM
Expires
Mon, December 31st, 2018 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
HPAC Staff
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

The avalanche hazard has risen to  CONSIDERABLE today.

Recent new snow, strong winds and heavy wind loading will overload weak layers in the snowpack. Expects natural avalanches possible at mid to upper elevations.

See yesterday’s advisory HERE.

Special Announcements

Mark your calendars for the annual Hatcher Pass Avalanche Workshop coming up on Saturday January 19th.

 

Sun, December 30th, 2018
Upper Elevation
Above 3,500'
3 - Considerable
Avalanche risk
Mid Elevation
2,500'-3,500'
3 - Considerable
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

A remotely triggered avalanche occurred yesterday, 12/28, on the SE face of Hatch Peak. See more details in the observation HERE.

A small, human triggered wind slab avalanche was reported on Sunday 12/23. See observations HERE.

No other avalanches have been reported.

Additional Concern

Problems: PERSISTENT SLAB, WIND SLAB, LOOSE DRY

Expect heavy wind loading to trigger natural activity, and activate weak layers in the snowpack today through tomorrow.

Now is a good time to avoid avalanche terrain. Avoid terrain traps, see yesterday’s advisory for more details, such as recent avalanches.

Weather
Sun, December 30th, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NWS Rec Forecast HERE

State Parks Snow Report and Motorized Access information HERE

TREND

As strong winds continue, expect the avalanche hazard to continue to increase. Expect natural avalanches and human triggered avalanches to become more likely.

See yesterday’s avalanche advisory HERE.

Observations
Recent Observations for Hatcher Pass