Avalanche — Matanuska Valley, Alaska

2020-03-09 · Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Event narrative

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center reported an avalanche on Mile 16 of Palmer Fishhook Rd. A 17 year old snowboarder was rescued, but later perished at the hospital.

Wider weather episode

High pressure over the Interior brought a dome of cold air south of the Alaska Range, while a low pressure system in the northern Gulf brought several waves of moisture onshore. These two factors combined to deposit 14 inches of snow in Hatcher Pass. Although the snowfall was not unusual, it placed increased stress on a weak layer in the snow pack from earlier in the season, thus increasing the avalanche danger.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 871648. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.