Lawinenlagebericht

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Hochgebirge
4 · Gross
Waldgrenze
4 · Gross
Unterhalb
4 · Gross
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Kernpunkte

An avalanche Warning is in effect from Noon today until Noon tomorow. The avalanche hazard will rise to High today. Destructive human-triggered and natural avalanches will become likely as the current storm progresses. Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended. Heavy snow and rain will load our weak snowpack, increasing the chance of avalanche activity over the next 24 hours. 

Public avalanche forecasts are issued Wednesday-Sunday at 8 am. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Very Likely
    Größe
    1.5–3

    Our most significant snowfall of the year is currently causing widespread impacts through our forcast area. Storm slabs that began building last week are currently several feet thick and growing.  Additional heavy accumulations of snow over the next 24 hours will increase the chances of avalanche activity through Friday. Human-triggered avalanches 2-4 feet deep within the recent storm snow are becoming increasingly likely today. As this storm continues to progress, we expect widespread natural activity. Avoid travel in or below avalanche terrain. 

    (1/15/2026) 24-hour storm snow totals.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Very Likely
    Größe
    2–3

    Several layers of buried weak snow exist, depending on the area and elevation. Heavy precipitation stressing a weak snowpack will cause the potential for deeper, more destructive avalanches to increase through the day into tomorrow.

    Very weak snow (12/1 rain crust on facets) exists below 3500' and is reactive to human triggers in steep open terrain. Recent observations have shown obvious signs of instability within the 1-3 feet of storm snow that rests on these weak layers. We have high confidence that a human could trigger an avalanche 2-4 feet deep very easily today due to this situation. 

    Above 3500', the structure and strength of the snowpack is very different:

    For elevations above 3500 feet, we have a bit of uncertainty regarding the sensitivity of persistent weak layers, but we are confident they will become highly stressed with large amounts of additional snow over the next 24 hours. Buried windslabs formed in December are sitting on a weak faceted base. Due to the strength of the buried windslabs It will take a significant load to trigger this problem. However, critical loads could be reached tonight, into tommorow and will likely produce large and destructive natural avalanches 3-5+ feet deep. 

    Deep Persistent Slab:  The problems above will likely become deep persistent as the storm snow buries weak layers over a meter deep in the near future.

    (1/3/2026)

    Facets on the underside of the 12/1 rain crust

    Photo: Gareth Brown

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche activity in the last 72 hours: No

Forecast Discussion: 

The avalanche hazard is actively increasing and will continue to do so for the next 24 hours. Valdez and Thompson Pass have already received close to 20 inches of snow, with the most significant snowfall on the way.  Weather models are predicting several more feet of snow and 2-4 inches of Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) over the next 2 days. Multiple avalanche problems will become increasingly sensitive today, with a natural avalanche cycle on the horizon. Expect the likelihood and potential size of avalanches to increase over the forcast period. Avoid travel in avalanche terrain. Do not stop in avalanche areas on the roadway.  Do not hike below avalanche paths. If you see avalanche activity, please report it to us or post an observation.

 For more information regarding our snowpack, see our Weather History or Observations sections. 

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