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Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′ where it’s possible to trigger an avalanche breaking on a buried weak layer 1-3′ deep within the snowpack. In steep terrain manage your sluff and give glide cracks and cornices a wide margin. Remember to use terrain progression and good travel protocol.
The Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center and the Hatcher Pass Snow Riders Club are hosting a free avalanche workshop next Saturday at 11 am at the Mint parking lot. Check out our events page for more information!
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. |
A large skier triggered avalanche occurred Sunday, Jan 5th on Magnum’s West face. Details from the group involved are HERE and more information on the weak layer and avalanche details below.
Photo of Sunday’s slide on Magnum by Dane Ketner, who noticed the avalanche later in the day.
Signal Word | Size (D scale) | Simple Descriptor |
Small | 1 | Unlikely to bury a person |
Large | 2 | Can bury a person |
Very Large | 3 | Can destroy a house |
Historic | 4 & 5 | Can destroy part or all of a village |
Our primary layers of concern remains buried surface hoar from Solstice and old faceted snow, which sits within the top 3′ of snowpack in many areas throughout the region. The cold temperatures and relatively calm winds have had minimal impact on the healing process of this interface, so the concern remains.
Yesterday, forecasters investigated a reported skier triggered slab avalanche from 1/5. This slab avalanche had a 1-4′ crown and ran from 3300′ to the debris pile at 2800′. Although it was initially suspected to have failed on the Solstice buried surface hoar, forecasters found the weak layer to be a bed of advanced facets over a dense crust. This interface is suspected to be from Dec. 9th when the region experienced a relatively warm rain event, reaching up to 3500′ in some areas. We’re grateful for the party involved for sharing photos and discussion.
A close up on the flank of the avalanche along with the upper portions of the crown. The thin area where the slab was triggered is out of view at the top.
As these weak layers remain a concern:
As always when traveling in avalanche terrain we expose only one person at a time, watch our partners, designate escape routes, and consider the consequences if the slope does slide. Avoid slopes that end in terrain traps, or have runout above rocky outcrops and over cliffs.
Video from Magnum slide link: HERE.
Signal Word | Size (D scale) | Simple Descriptor |
Small | 1 | Unlikely to bury a person |
Large | 2 | Can bury a person |
Very Large | 3 | Can destroy a house |
Historic | 4 & 5 | Can destroy part or all of a village |
Cold temperatures have maintained loose snow surface conditions throughout the region. Sluffs have been reported to be getting larger on steep sustained slopes. Remain mindful when traveling above rocky outcrops and over cliffs.
Glide cracks are an unpredictable hazard that continue to open in the cold temperatures. When possible, limit exposure near and under glide cracks. It can be difficult to see glide cracks when approached from above, especially when they’ve bridged with snow.
North aspect of Cornbiscuit – Some obvious, some less than obvious glide cracks.
Cornices: Avoid travel on cornices, and limit your exposure when beneath them. Cornices can obscure the true ridgeline and may fail far back from the edge.
Cornice view looking southeast on Magnum Ridge
Yesterday: Cold and clear with some valley fog. Temperatures were -15°F to -6°F in most valley bottoms and low elevations while bumping to 0°F along ridges during the day. Winds remained light from the northwest.
Today: Cold, calm and clear weather remains in place. This morning, ridgetop winds are light and temperatures are mostly in the negative single digits with a high of 2°F expected this afternoon, and the low tonight near -8°F. Ridgetop winds are forecast from the northwest today at 5-10mph.
Tomorrow: The current cold, calm and clear pattern looks to continue through wednesday afternoon, then potential for cloudy skies moving into the region in the evening.
PRECIPITATION 24-hour data (6am – 6am)
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Center Ridge (1880′) | -7 | 0 | 0 | 39 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | -15 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | -3 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sunburst (3812′) | -3 | WSW | 6 | 12 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | -5 | NNW | 2 | 4 |
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
03/27/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Trees | A S Forecaster |
03/26/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Cornbiscuit | Krueger/ Sykes Forecaster |
03/25/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan | Jack Peabody |
03/22/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Magnum Northwest Aspect | Aubrey Palmer |
03/21/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | John Sykes Forecaster |
03/21/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Proper North Aspect | Shasta Hood |
03/20/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Creek Drainage | Wagner / Keeler Forecaster |
03/19/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan CFR | N. Dumont B. Matthys |
03/18/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan – Eddies – Seattle Ridge | CNFAC Staff |
03/18/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan | jim sweeney |
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