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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. | ||||
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5-7″ of new snow with 0.4″ of SWE was reported at the IM Snotel overnight. Temperatures remained just below freezing. Gold Cord weather station at 4050′ reported 5.5″ of new snow overnight with temperatures in the lower 20’s F. The Marmot snow stake, at approximately 3000′, appears to have accumulated 6″ of new snow overnight. [Read More] | ||
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UPDATE November 20, 2019 The avalanche hazard is rising with strong Southeast winds over the last 24-48 hours building dangerous wind slabs in specific locations on West to North aspects at mid to upper elevations. Wind slabs are expected to be 4-12” thick and sensitive to human triggers. The lower elevations have very little snow, [Read More] | ||
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Since October 1, weather conditions at HP have been warm and wet. We currently have approximately 2 to 3.5 feet of snow at the mid to upper elevations. The snow line is visibly delineated at approximately 2500-3000´. Cloudy skies have dominated October and November, with three significant dumps of snow, warm temperatures and light winds. [Read More] | ||
 Glide Avalanches
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Large Glide avalanches have been naturally releasing. Many areas of Hatcher Pass resemble a war zone. Check out the observation page and social media for numerous posts including pictures. Large, natural Glide avalanches will continue to be possible in specific areas. These avalanches may release now, or in a month, no one can accurately predict [Read More] | ||
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Recent Glide Crack release on Skyscraper Mountain, above the Willow Creek Road (closed to vehicles), on the Palmer side of Hatcher Pass, large enough to bury a person. Other glide cracks exist and/or have released on Eldorado and Marmot Mountain. Glide cracks releases are difficult to predict. However, identifying their presence and avoidance are two [Read More] | ||
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The snow is stacking up! While it’s still early in the snow season, we are experiencing heavy snowfall, and natural avalanches may be possible. Currently we have very little information and data to assess the avalanche conditions. Use extra caution if entering avalanche terrain, and employ extra margins for safety. Avalanche advisories and avalanche danger [Read More] | ||
 Spring Conditions
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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 [Read More] | ||
 Storm Slabs
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Head’s Up Hatcher Pass! Winter is not over yet…. Hatcher Pass received 24″ of new snow overnight above 3000′ and approx 12″ of new snow at low elevation, combined with moderate wind gusts SSE 10-19 mph for several hours at upper elevation. The avalanche problems for today are Storm Slab, Wind Slab, and Dry Loose. The [Read More] | ||
 Wind Slabs
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 Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger will be MODERATE today for new winds slabs, 4-6″ thick, on NW to NE aspects, at upper elevation, on slopes steeper than 35º. The avalanche danger today will be LOW in the morning, rising to MODERATE in the afternoon for wet avalanches. Human triggered avalanches will be possible at low and mid elevations, on steep slopes greater than [Read More] | ||
 Cornice
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Wet Loose
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This information is a Conditions Update. Danger ratings are only issued with avalanches advisories. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday April 13, 2019. MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY FOR APRIL 11, 2019 Natural and human-triggered avalanches will be unlikely today. While generally safe avalanche conditions exist, watch for unstable snow on isolated [Read More] | ||
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Cornice
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 Dry Loose
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The avalanche danger today is LOW today. Natural and human triggered avalanches will be unlikely. Low danger does not mean No danger! Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain, in the afternoon. Several nights of freezing overnight temps combined with cooler daytime temps will keep previously wet snow locked up with stout crusts 3-8″ thick on [Read More] | ||
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Cornice
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 Wet Slab
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MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY FOR APRIL 4, 2019 It is possible for large cornices to fail naturally or for a human or dog to trigger them. Cornice-triggered avalanches have the potential to trigger larger sluffs or slab avalanches that may fail in deeper weak layers. After a week of clear skies and unseasonably [Read More] | ||
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Cornice
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger today is LOW in the morning, rising to CONSIDERABLE in the afternoon for Wet Avalanches at low and mid elevations, most likely in the afternoon and evening on steep SE to SW aspects. Most avalanches will be small in size although large avalanches up to D2 will be possible on S aspects at low and mid elevation in [Read More] | ||
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Cornice
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Wet Loose
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MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY FOR MARCH 28, 2019 It will be possible for large cornices to fail naturally or for a human or dog to trigger today. Cornice-triggered avalanches have the potential to trigger larger sluffs or slab avalanches that may fail to the ground. Human-triggered small to large, wet loose avalanches will be [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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Wet Slab
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The avalanche danger is Moderate today in the morning for Wet Avalanches at mid and low elevation. Danger will rise to Considerable for Wet Avalanches at mid and low elevation on steep SE to SW aspects in the afternoon and into tomorrow if we continue to see above freezing temperatures overnight. Cornices are huge and sensitive [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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Wind Slabs
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This information is a Conditions Update. Danger ratings are only issued with avalanches advisories. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday March 23, 2019. Previous avalanche advisories HERE MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY FOR MARCH 21, 2019 Human-triggered wet loose avalanches will be likely and natural avalanches will be possible on all aspects [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Wet Loose
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BOTTOM LINE The avalanche danger is MODERATE today for Wind Slabs. Moderate to strong winds from 3/13-14 formed slabs 6″-18″ thick, that will be possible to human trigger at at mid and upper elevation, on leeward aspects, W to N , and cross-loaded SW aspects, on slopes above 35°. Natural avalanches are unlikely. Low avalanche [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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 Persistent Slabs
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This information is a Conditions Update. Danger ratings are only issued with avalanches advisories. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday March 16, 2019. Previous avalanche advisories HERE MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY Moderate to strong E to ESE winds yesterday afternoon and overnight have picked up 6-9″ of low density snow that [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Dry Loose
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BOTTOM LINE The avalanche danger is MODERATE today for Wind Slabs and Dry Loose at upper elevation, on leeward aspects, on west to northeast aspects, on slopes above 35°. New wind slabs 4-8” thick will be possible to trigger at upper elevation on leeward aspects. Dry loose sluffs will be small but possible to trigger [Read More] | ||
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This information is a Conditions Update. Danger ratings are only issued with avalanches advisories. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday March 9, 2019. Previous avalanche advisories HERE MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY Temperatures have cooled off after the unseasonably warm weather last week which has momentarily locked up the snowpack. Human-triggered and [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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Dry Loose
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Conditions have transitioned from a winter weather pattern to spring-like conditions and a diurnal pattern of overnight freezing and afternoon thawing. Low avalanche hazard for wet loose and dry loose avalanches at all elevations. Human triggered avalanches will be unlikely. Low hazard does not mean NO hazard. As temperatures rise in the afternoon, pay attention [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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This information is a Conditions Update. Danger ratings are only issued with avalanches advisories. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday March 2, 2019. Previous avalanche advisories HERE MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY With daytime temps nearing 40°F, heightened avalanche conditions exist on steep southerly terrain. Human-triggered and natural wet loose avalanches will [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Dry Loose
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BOTTOM LINE A Moderate avalanche hazard for persistent slab avalanches and dry loose avalanches exists at mid to upper elevations. -Persistent slabs 1-3 feet deep exist on all aspects, on slopes 35° and steeper. Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. -Dry loose avalanches will be moderate in size and possible to human-trigger on slopes 40° [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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This information is a Conditions Update. Danger ratings are only issued with avalanches advisories. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday February 23, 2019. Previous avalanche advisories HERE MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY Avalanche hazard exists for persistent slab at all elevations. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential. Widespread natural avalanches [Read More] | ||
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BOTTOM LINE – UPDATED 9:30am The avalanche hazard will remain elevated today, with CONSIDERABLE avalanche hazard at mid to upper elevations and Moderate avalanche hazard at low elevation. Today is a tricky day, with clearing weather, a lot of new snow, human triggered avalanches likely, and natural avalanches possible. This is just the right combination [Read More] | ||
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A weather pattern change is expected today through Monday. Significant new snow is expected beginning tonight through Sunday which will increase the avalanche hazard to CONSIDERABLE tonight. Preliminary estimates could put snow totals from today through Sunday at 14-20″. Today, a MODERATE avalanche hazard exists for stubborn to unreactive persistent slab avalanches at mid to upper elevations, [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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This information is a Conditions Update. Danger ratings are only issued with avalanches advisories. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday February 16, 2019. Previous avalanche advisories HERE MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY Avalanche hazard exists for persistent slab at mid to upper elevations. Human triggered avalanches are possible and natural avalanches are unlikely. Remotely [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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A MODERATE avalanche hazard exists for persistent slab avalanches at mid to upper elevations, on a variety of aspects, 1-3 feet deep, on slopes 35° and steeper, and may be large enough to bury, injure or kill. Human triggered avalanches are possible and natural avalanches are unlikely. Remotely triggered avalanches will be possible on connected [Read More] | ||
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Dry Loose
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This information is a Conditions Update. Danger ratings are only issued with avalanches advisories. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday February 9, 2019. Previous avalanche advisories HERE MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY Avalanche hazards exist for persistent slab and loose dry avalanches at mid to upper elevations. Human triggered avalanches are possible and natural avalanches are [Read More] | ||
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UPDATE! Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential. We are in the middle of a significant new storm system that will continue through tomorrow morning. Up to 2 feet of new snow is expected. Our snowpack is in a delicate balance that may result in natural avalanches up to 1-5 [Read More] | ||
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A MODERATE avalanche hazard exists for persistent slab and loose dry avalanches at mid to upper elevations. Human triggered avalanches are possible and natural avalanches are unlikely. A LOW hazard exists at low elevation. Slab avalanches may be triggered on a variety of aspects, at mid to upper elevations, 1-2 feet deep, on slopes 35° and [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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This information is a Conditions Update. Danger ratings are only issued with avalanches advisories. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday February 2, 2019. Previous avalanche advisories HERE MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY Avalanche hazards exist for persistent slab and loose dry avalanches at mid to upper elevations. Human triggered avalanches are possible and natural avalanches are [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Dry Loose
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Strong winds combined with 3-4″ of new snow since 1/24 have created a CONSIDERABLE avalanche hazard for newly formed wind slabs at upper elevations, on Northwest to Northeast aspects, on slopes 35° and steeper. Avoid slopes with terrain traps, as any size avalanche may be able to carry or wash a person into terrain traps, significantly [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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This information is a Conditions Update. Danger ratings are only issued with avalanches advisories. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday January 26, 2019. Previous avalanche advisories HERE MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY Triggering a slab avalanche is unlikely at this time, but it is not impossible. Small avalanches are possible in isolated [Read More] | ||
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A LOW avalanche hazard exists at all elevations and on all aspects. While it is unlikely to trigger avalanches today, it is not impossible. Anticipate the possibility of small avalanches in isolated or extreme terrain. Low does not mean no hazard. Be cautious in consequential terrain where even small avalanches in isolated locations could carry [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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This information is a Conditions Update. Danger ratings are only issued with avalanches advisories. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday January 19, 2019. Previous avalanche advisories HERE MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY While the likelihood of triggering a slab avalanche is decreasing slowly with time, there is still a possibility of triggering [Read More] | ||
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A MODERATE avalanche hazard exists for persistent slab, wind slab and loose dry avalanches at upper elevations. Human triggered avalanches are possible and natural avalanches are unlikely. Slab avalanches are the main concern, up to 1-5 feet deep (consistent with the depth of the snowpack), and large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person. A [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Dry Loose
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This information is a Conditions Update. Danger ratings are only issued with avalanches advisories. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday January 12, 2019. Previous avalanche advisories HERE MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY While the likelihood of triggering a slab avalanche is decreasing slowly with time, there is still a possibility of triggering [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Dry Loose
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Today a MODERATE avalanche hazard for persistent slab and loose dry avalanches exists. Human triggered avalanches are possible and natural avalanches are unlikely. Slab avalanches are the main concern, up to 2-4 feet deep (consistent with the depth of the snowpack), and large enough to bury, injure, or kill a person. We can not emphasize [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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This is not an Avalanche Advisory. This information is a Conditions Update. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday January 5, 2019. Previous avalanche advisories HERE MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY BOTTOM LINE: A series of strong storms brought 17″ of snow, strong SE ridge top winds, and moderate valley bottom winds since Friday [Read More] | ||
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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. [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche hazard is MODERATE this morning and may rise to CONSIDERABLE this afternoon, depending on the amount of accumulated new snow and strength of the wind today. A moderate hazard for human triggered avalanches 1-4 feet deep at mid to upper elevations exists. Avalanches will be possible to trigger this weekend and tricky to [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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This is not an Avalanche Advisory. This information is a Conditions Update. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday December 29, 2018. MIDWEEK SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY Avalanche conditions in Hatcher Pass are improving. Human triggered avalanches 1-4 ft deep are still possible in steep isolated locations at mid to upper elevations, mostly on [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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A MODERATE hazard for human triggered avalanches 1-4 feet deep at mid to upper elevations will be possible to trigger this weekend and tricky to predict. Warning signs, such as whumphing and shooting cracks, may not be present. Avoid steep slopes with terrain traps, and choose slopes with gentle, fanning runouts. Moderate avalanche hazard does [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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Dangerous avalanche conditions continue at HP. Human triggered avalanches large enough to bury a person will remain possible to likely through this weekend and this week. Unfortunately this season’s snowpack is set up for avalanches, and will be extremely slow to heal or improve. The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at mid to upper elevations on [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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This is not an Avalanche Advisory. This information is a Conditions Update. The next avalanche advisory is scheduled for Saturday December 15, 2018. SNOW AND AVALANCHE CONDITIONS SUMMARY A fast moving storm brought 8” of snow Saturday night to Hatcher Pass. The new snow added stress to a thin snowpack, creating a dangerous avalanche prone [Read More] | ||
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Numerous human triggered avalanches, including many remotely triggered avalanches occurred on 12/9. New snow and wind tipped the balance Saturday evening and into Sunday. While some natural activity occurred, the majority appears to be human triggered and in many cases remotely triggered. Remote avalanches are a different beast, and very difficult to predict where we can [Read More] | ||
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A couple human triggered avalanches were reported early in the week around the Willow-Fishhook Road area and Hatch Peak. They were 1-3 feet deep, in wind loaded areas, likely failing on basal facets. We observed a couple slab avalanches which may have occurred during wind and snow events this week on Hatch Peak, NW, approx. [Read More] |
