Lawinenlagebericht

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 3 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

The avalanche hazard is Moderate above 2000 feet and low below.  Lingering wind slabs instabilities may still exist in steep terrain.  Human triggered avalanches remain possible to trigger 1-2 feet in depth on specific terrain features.  Natural avalanches are unlikely.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    1–2

    Today, the possibility remains to trigger wind slab avalanches in steep terrain.  It has now been 48 hours since this avalanche problem has began to form and sensitivity will be decreasing.  The exception to this may be in the Continental zone where facets could underlie wind slabs in places and the process of stabilizing takes longer.  

    The most recent wind event was a mild one as far as Thompson Pass is concerned.  Many places remain unaffected by wind and have better overall stability.

    Watch for the presence of wind slabs in the area you choose to travel.  Hard snow over soft is an indicator that wind slabs exist and signs of instability such as collapsing or shooting cracks are an indicator that they are unstable.  As wind slabs stiffen and gain strength hand pits become a less effective tool for assesing stability.  Use test slopes to assess their sensitivity were appropriate (slopes without consequences).  

    Small Skier triggered wind slab that was reported 12/28. SW aspect ~4000', South Tiekel

Avalanche Discussion

The main concern today will be the possibilty of triggering a wind slab avalanche 1-2 feet in depth that has formed over the last 48 hours.  These are in the process of gaining strength, this a gradual process and does not happen all at once.  Certain areas will gain stability quicker than others.  It is expected that the Continental zone will hold onto this instability longer than areas to the south due to the possibility of facets underlying slabs.

It has been 5 days since our last major snowfall.  Areas that are unaffected by recent wind will have better overall stability as good bonding and stability have been observed and reported at the latest interface and overall.

The Thanksgiving day crust has been removed from the list of avalanche problems due to multiple factors.  1) This layer is now buried deeply in our snowpack making it very unlikely for a person or machine to affect it. 2) Recent snowpits have shown a lack of energy at this layer. 3) Multiple large storms have tested the strength of this layer.  In places where this layer was a concern it has likely already cycled naturally.  4) A clean shear does not exist at this layer.  It is possible that this layer may return to our list of avalanche problems in the future if the layer begins to lose strength through faceting.

Valdez season snowfall: 144 inches

Valdez December snowfall: 108 inches

Valdez height of snowpack: 53 inches

Thompson Pass snowfall data is currently unavalable

46 mile height of snowpack: 68 inches

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