Heaviest snowfall in decades increases avalanche risk near Haines, Alaska
Nearly 2 metres of snow fell last week in Haines, the most in one week since records began in 2000
Heavy snowfall in Haines, Alaska, last week has increased the risk of avalanche in the area, experts say.
Haines saw 1.93 metres of snow fall between Dec. 27 and 31, according to the Haines Avalanche Center (HAC). It was the snowiest week for the region since the centre started keeping records in 2000, exceeding the previous record from 2011 when 1.5 metres fell in one week.
“We’ve had numerous winters in a row where the temperatures are above freezing and this would all be rain,” said Jeff Moskowitz, the director of the Haines Avalanche Center.
Cold temperatures also mean that the snow hasn’t had a chance to consolidate, he said. Underneath, he said, there’s a “dangerous weak layer” that increases avalanche risk.
“Once it does consolidate, it’s gonna be pretty significant either natural avalanches or potential for human-triggered avalanches,” Moskowitz said.
He’s warning people who use the backcountry to pay attention to weather conditions that can increase the potential for avalanches. That includes more precipitation, wind, and rising temperatures.
He says one of the best things to do is to avoid steeper slopes and to be prudent and patient while out on the land.
“Seeking steeper terrain means exposing yourself to the risks,” he said, adding that “cracking,” “collapsing” or “woofing” are signs of a possible avalanche.
Average snowpack in White Pass
Over the mountains in the White Pass — located between Skagway, Alaska, and northern B.C. — conditions are similar, but the risk is expected to lessen through this week.
Brad Halt, the lead field technician for Avalanche Canada, says the White Pass area saw around 70 centimetres of snow last week, bringing the snowpack to about average after a period of relative drought.
He says freezing temperatures along with the fresh snow has increased avalanche risk, but that’s expected to go down later in the week around the treeline.
“I would still be giving big slopes a lot of berth,” he said.
“I would avoid doing anything high marking… dropping into like, you know, big steep plainer slopes. That’s our prime for avalanches.”
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Meet Kipper, the newest — and only — avalanche dog in Canada’s North, CBC News
Iceland: Iceland ramps up flood, avalanche defence projects after major budget boost, Eye on the Arctic
United States: Teen killed after triggering avalanche in Alaska, where 4 have died in snow slides this month, The Associated Press
