| Date | Rating | Problem #1 | Problem #2 | The Bottom Line |
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| HPAC has migrated to a new platform for avalanche forecasts and observations. Click this link to view all archives for the 24/25 season. | ||||
 Persistent Slabs
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Today’s avalanche problem will be persistent slab. Human triggered avalanches are possible at mid and upper elevations. Natural avalanches are unlikely. Hard stiff snow on top of weak sugary snow will be a sign that persistent slab problems are present. Winds from last week have created hard stiff slabs. These hard slabs will allow you [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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It will be possible to human trigger or remotely trigger a 1-3 ft. thick persistent slab avalanche on all aspects, at all elevations, on slopes 30º and steeper today. There is a lot of spatial variability out there due to recent strong winds re-distributing snow earlier in the week. Conditions are highly variable, consisting of [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Today’s avalanche problem will be persistent slab. Human triggered persistent slab avalanches will be possible at all elevations. Natural avalanches are unlikely. Hard stiff snow that overlies weak sugary snow, will be a sign that persistent slab avalanche problems are present. Remote triggering an avalanche is still possible, choose safe zones carefully and watch out [Read More] | ||
 Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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Heads up! the pattern has shifted. Human triggered avalanches are likely today, natural avalanches are possible! Remote triggering will be possible. Today’s avalanche problems: Fresh Wind Slabs up to 2 feet thick and Persistent Slabs 2-4 feet deep. It will be possible for wind slabs to step down into the deeper, persistent slab problem, failing [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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 Dry Loose
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Persistent slabs will be possible to human trigger today on all aspects at upper elevation. Large avalanches will be possible in isolated locations on southerly aspects where stiffer snow overlies weaker snow. Persistent slabs will be unlikely to trigger on all aspects, at mid and low elevation. Low danger does not mean no danger. Small, [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Dry Loose
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Today’s avalanche problems will be persistent slab and dry loose. Human triggered persistent slab and dry loose avalanches will be possible on all aspects at mid to upper elevations. Natural avalanches are unlikely. Stiff hard snow on top of weak sugary facets is a sign that the persistent slab problem is present. Remote triggering a [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Dry Loose
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The current snowpack varies from a few inches to 3 feet deep. It’s still early for the rocky Smasher’s Pass, which needs more snow for better coverage. Persistent slabs continue to be the primary avalanche problem and will be possible to human trigger on all aspects, at mid to upper elevations, on slopes 30° and [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Dry Loose
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Today’s avalanche problem will be persistent slab and dry loose. Human triggered avalanches will be possible and natural avalanches are unlikely. While persistent slab avalanches will be possible on all aspects, we have observed a recent pattern of human triggered avalanches on SE to SW aspects at mid and upper elevations. To identify this avalanche [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Small to large persistent slab avalanches will be possible to human trigger at mid and upper elevation, on all aspects today. Slab avalanches will be unlikely at low elevation. If this problem sounds like a broken record, well it is. Variable conditions exist with poor structure and stability. Faceted powder can be found in few [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Today’s avalanche problem will be persistent slab. Human triggered persistent slabs will be possible today. Strong winds and warmer temperatures have made their mark. Coverage is still thin and has deteriorated at mid elevations. Shooting cracks, whumping, and smooth pillow like snow will all be red flags. Coverage is thin at upper elevations. Triggering avalanches [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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A Moderate Hazard exists for persistent slabs and wind slabs. Human triggered avalanches will be possible and natural avalanches are unlikely. Persistent slabs exist at all elevations and on all aspects. These will be hard to predict, and small to large in size releasing at or near the ground, up to 2 feet deep. See [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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 Storm Slabs
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Bottom Line Today’s avalanche problems will be wind slab, storm slabs, and persistent slab avalanches. Human triggering wind slabs will be likely, and storm slabs and persistent slabs are possible. New snow and significant winds from last night have drastically changed conditions in the forecast zone. Remember most avalanches occur within 24-48 hours of a [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Dry Loose
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It will be possible to human trigger wind slabs, dry loose, and persistent slab avalanches today. Steady easterly winds over the last 24 hours have transported old snow and built fresh wind slabs on westerly aspects at the upper elevations. Expect these to be small in size, but easy to human trigger. This is the [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Dry Loose
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Today’s problems are persistent slab, dry loose, and wind slab. The most likely and largest consequence hazard today are loose dry avalanches in steep terrain. Persistent slabs are unlikely, and wind slabs are likely, but very small in size. Coverage is still thin with 1-2 ½ feet of snow throughout the area. There are plenty [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Dry Loose
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The avalanche hazard is Moderate at all elevations and on all aspects for Persistent Slab avalanches and Loose Dry. It will be possible to human trigger large, full depth slab avalanches, generally 2-3 feet deep, that could bury, injure, or kill a person. Natural avalanches are unlikely. Remotely triggered slab avalanches are especially dangerous, and [Read More] | ||
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HAZARDOUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS EXPECTED . Continued heavy snowfall with strong winds through today will combine to increase the avalanche hazard to HIGH DANGER this afternoon. Travel in avalanche terrain is NOT recommended. . Independence Mine Snotel is reporting 8″ of new snow overnight and the Marmot snow stake also shows approximately 8″ of new snow. [Read More] | ||
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Heads Up! Changing weather conditions and increasing avalanche hazard this weekend. A special weather statement for hazardous weather conditions was issued by the NWS this morning. This weather system will be intensifying over the weekend, with heavy snowfall expected Saturday evening into Sunday. Significant snowfall this weekend will overload weak, basal, persistent layers in the [Read More] | ||
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We received approximate 12″ of new snow on 10/26 at 3500′. The new snow has overloaded weaker, basal, faceted snow and is producing human triggered avalanches. Please review the most recent observations HERE. It’s easy to think that we have not received enough snow this early in the season to produce dangerous avalanches. Today we [Read More] | ||
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Welcome to the 2020/2021 Season! While COVID-19 continues to impact our communities, HPAC is planning on a busy season. We are ready to provide regular forecasting and information, as you have come to rely on. November 15 is our regular start up for the full tilt products. Check back here until then for periodic updates, [Read More] | ||
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While HPAC has ended operations for the season, a near record snowpack still exists and will allow for potential avalanches through May. It’s still avalanche season in the mountains. The Marmot snow stake is sitting at 6.5 feet! Please frequent the observations page and social media for recent conditions and avalanches. If you post in [Read More] | ||
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A Special Weather Statement has been issued in effect Sunday and Monday bringing warm temperatures and the potential for 12″ of new snow to Hatcher Pass. Southerly winds are forecasted to increase throughout the storm. Any significant precipitation combined with warm temperatures and moderate wind will increase the avalanche hazard at all elevations, on all aspects [Read More] | ||
 Normal Caution
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As of Saturday, April 4th HPAC is suspending avalanche forecasts for the Hatcher Pass area. This does not mean avalanche problems do not exist. Please see conditions report for avalanche problems to look out for and avalanche activity from the week. [Read More] | ||
 Deep Persistent Slabs
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It will be possible to human trigger a deep persistent slab up to 4′ deep , most likely on East to West aspects, up to 3800′ this weekend. Cooler temperatures have halted the spring warm up and wet avalanches will be unlikely today. Significantly cooler temperatures this weekend will add to the variability of conditions [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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Hatcher Pass received a rapid load of 10 inches of new snow in about 10 hours on Saturday and .5″ SWE at 3500′. The storm was accompanied by wind SSE 10-15 G 16-22 for 7 hours at 4500′. It will be possible to human trigger a wind slab, storm slab, wet-loose, dry-loose, or a deep [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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Normal Caution
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Deep persistent slabs up to 5 ft deep will be stubborn, but possible to trigger today, most likely on E to W aspects at low and mid elevation up to 3800 feet. It will be possible to remotely trigger these large avalanches. 6-9″ of new snow forecasted for today will contribute to small wet-loose [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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It will be possible to human trigger or remotely trigger a persistent slab avalanche today at all aspects and all elevations, 1-4 feet deep. Natural avalanches are unlikely. Warmer springtime temperatures today will make it possible to trigger small wet-loose sluffs, on steep slopes, on SE to SW aspects in the afternoon. After a big [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Avalanche Bulletin for 3/13 The Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center has issued a Special Avalanche Bulletin. * Affected Area…For the Hatcher Pass State Park and Hatcher Pass surrounding areas including: Arkose Ridge, 16 mile, Gold Mint, Archangel, Marmot, IM Bowl, to Hatcher Pass. * Avalanche Danger… Avalanche Danger is rated CONSIDERABLE. Significant rapid snowfall of 36” [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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33″ of snow and 1.7″ of SWE have accumulated at Hatcher Pass since 3/7. The IM snotel at 3550′ is reporting over 100 inches of snow this season! Quite impressive. This RAPID load will OVERLOAD weak layers and NATURAL AVALANCHES are POSSIBLE today and HUMAN TRIGGERED are LIKELY. Storm Slabs, Deep Persistent Slabs, and Dry [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Dry Loose
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Heads up for changing conditions and increased avalanche hazard today and into tomorrow! Over the past 24 hours, approximately 23″ of new snow and 1.6″ SWE has accumulated since March 7 at Independence Mine Snotel (3550′). This rapid load will overload weak layers in the snowpack. Storm Slabs, Dry Loose, and Deep Persistent Slabs will all [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Dry Loose
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It will be possible to trigger a large persistent slab 1-4 feet deep today on all aspects at all elevations. Small dry loose sluffs will be possible to trigger on steep slopes, on all aspects, at upper elevation in protected locations, and increasing in size throughout the day. Cornices continue to grow and demand respect [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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Heads up for changing conditions and increased avalanche hazard today and into tomorrow! As of this morning approximately 12-18″ of new snow has accumulated since March 1 at Independence Mine Snotel (3050′). Storm Slabs, Persistent Slabs, and Dry Loose will all be avalanche problems today and into tomorrow. [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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 Cornice
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The persistent slab problem lingers with a low probability/high consequence risk. Persistent slabs are 1-4′ deep, on all aspects, and at all elevations. Large loads, such as cornice falls, snow machines, and/or groups of people are more likely to trigger large persistent slab avalanches. However, it will also be possible for a single person to [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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Human triggering wind slabs (winds 2/18-21) on leeward aspects, West to North, at upper elevations, may be possible today. With limited data from a week of stormy weather, it will be prudent to thoroughly assess this hazard before stepping it up in steep terrain at the upper elevations. Persistent slabs continue to linger and will be [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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Storm Slabs
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Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. Natural avalanches likely and human triggered avalanches very likely. Strong winds and new snow will overload weak layers in the snowpack and result in large, natural avalanches that could reach 2-5 feet deep. A winter weather advisory is in effect for Hatcher Pass until February [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche hazard is MODERATE today for Persistent Slab avalanches on all aspects and at all elevations up to D2 in size. Expect persistent slabs to be stubborn to trigger and up to 1-4 feet deep. In many cases, hard slabs are sitting on weak faceted snow and will be possible to human trigger. It [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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HEADS UP! A significant storm system will impact Hatcher Pass today. New snow and strong winds will continue to keep the avalanche hazard elevated today through Sunday. 18″ to 34″ of new snow is forecasted over the next 24 hrs. A CONSIDERABLE avalanche hazard exists today for natural slab avalanches up to 2 feet deep, [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Persistent slabs, 2-12″ thick are sitting on weak layers and will be possible to human trigger today on all aspects, but most likely on SE to N aspects, at mid to upper elevations, on slopes 35º and steeper. Hard slabs will be difficult to predict and may allow you to step out onto them before [Read More] | ||
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Dry Loose
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Persistent Slabs
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Dry loose avalanches (sluffs) will be possible to human trigger on steep slopes, 40° and steeper, at mid and upper elevation, on all aspects, in protected locations. Small, persistent slabs will be possible to human trigger in isolated locations or in extreme terrain, on slopes 35° and steeper, at upper elevation, on all aspects, but [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Human triggering small slab avalanches in many locations will be the problem to avoid this weekend. Persistent slabs will be stubborn, but possible to human trigger, 2-6″ thick, generally small in size, at mid and upper elevations on a variety of aspects. You will find thicker and larger persistent slabs on the prevailing leeward aspects, [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Dry Loose
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Today a Moderate Hazard for Small Wind Slabs exists at the upper elevation, on leeward, South to West aspects, on slope 35° and steeper. A Low Hazard exists for Dry Loose Avalanches at all elevations, on all aspects, on slopes 40° and steeper. Be cautious around loose dry avalanches which could wash or carry you, [Read More] | ||
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Dry Loose
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Persistent Slabs
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Our stale avalanche paradigm has shifted, and the avalanche hazard has increased. It will be likely to human trigger numerous small dry loose avalanches on upper elevation, northerly aspects, on slopes 40° and steeper. It will be less likely, but possible to human trigger dry loose avalanches on all other aspects at mid to upper [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Dry Loose
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HUMAN TRIGGERED WIND SLAB AVALANCHES ARE LIKELY IN SPECIFIC AREAS TODAY. Increasing avalanche hazard for wind slab avalanches in specific areas, at mid to upper elevations, on leeward, West to North aspects. Strong winds overnight transported approximately 9″ of low density snow onto leeward aspects. These new wind slabs will be touchy, approximately 1 foot [Read More] | ||
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Dry Loose
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 Glide Avalanches
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Generally safe avalanche conditions. Natural avalanches will be unlikely today. Small, Dry Loose sluffs will be possible to trigger on all aspects, in steep terrain, at all elevations, with generally low consequence. Glide crack avalanches will continue to be an unpredictable, low probability/high consequence threatening hazard. Tis’ the season to be grateful for a more [Read More] | ||
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Glide Avalanches
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We continue to be in a unique avalanche paradigm, with areas of very good stability mixed with specific locations that contain glide avalanche hazards, which are unpredictable and dangerous, but are fortunately fairly easy to identify and avoid. Natural glide avalanches are unlikely, but may be possible in isolated occurrence today. Any glide avalanche will [Read More] | ||
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Glide Avalanches
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We are in a unique avalanche paradigm, with areas of very good stability mixed with specific locations that contains glide avalanche hazards, which are unpredictable and dangerous, but fortunately fairly easy to identify and avoid. The overall avalanche hazard is low at all elevations, except in areas with glide cracks and/or old glide avalanche activity. [Read More] | ||
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The avalanche hazard is increasing and the size of potential avalanches is getting bigger as strong winds continue. Strong winds, gusting ESE 38- 73 mph at 4500′ over the past 48 hours, have been moving plenty of available snow and building dangerous wind slabs on leeward aspects, mostly West to North, and features at mid [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Dry Loose
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Natural avalanches are unlikely today. New shallow 4-6″ wind slabs that formed overnight will be possible to human trigger on West to North aspects at Upper elevation on slopes above 35º. Wind slab hazard will increase throughout the day. Dry-loose avalanches will be possible to human trigger, on all aspects, at mid and upper elevation, [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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Natural avalanches are unlikely today and human triggered Storm Slab and Winds Slab avalanches are possible to human trigger, up to D2 in size, 1-3 feet deep, at mid to upper elevations on all aspects, on slopes 35° and steeper. Glide avalanches can release at any time, up to D2 in size. The Thanksgiving Storm [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Storm Slabs
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It’s Thanksgiving Day. With heavy snowfall and strong winds overnight, continuing through today, we recommend avoiding avalanche terrain. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist for wind slabs and storm slabs after a significant storm system brought strong winds followed by heavy snowfall overnight. Continued strong winds and heavy snowfall are expected today which could raise the avalanche hazard [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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THE AVALANCHE HAZARD IS RISING. We expect natural activity in this cycle over the short term, and for the avalanche hazard to improve over the long term, within 24 hours of the end of the storm. Travel Advice: Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making essential. A significant weather event will [Read More] |
