Lawinenlagebericht

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

Kernpunkte

The avalanche hazard will be low at all elevations and aspects at the beginning of the day. The hazard will rise to moderate as the sun warms the surface of the snow.  Human triggered and natural wet loose avalanches are possible today on steep slopes during times when the sun has created wet snow at the surface.

This is the final week of public avalanche forecasts.  The last forecast of the season will be issued on Sunday 4/28.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2.5

    Wet loose avalanches are once again today's primary avalanche concern. Overnight temperatures continue to be just below freezing creating a superficial freeze.  Another day of sunny skies and calm winds will promote another cycle of wet loose avalanche hazard on steep slopes during specific times of the day.  Avoid travelling on or spending time below steep terrain where more than 4 inches of the surface snow is wet.

     This type of avalanche starts small and slow but can quickly grow and become dangerous, potentially burying or sweeping a person away, especially in steep, rocky areas or near cliffs.

    Today’s avalanche risk starts low in the morning and increases with the sun's warmth, first on east-facing slopes and later moving to south and west-northwest aspects as the day progresses. A slope that is frozen and stable in the morning might not be safe in the afternoon. Stay off steep slopes that catch the sun during warm periods.

    To stay safe, be mindful of the sun's path and avoid steep sunny slopes during their warmest times. Always consider the terrain below you, avoiding areas that could amplify the consequences of an avalanche, like cliffs and gullies.

    (4/15/2024)

    Wet loose and wet slab natural activity on steep south aspect

    Photo: Gareth Brown

Avalanche Discussion

RECENT AVALANCHE ACTIVITY:  

Last 48 hours: Wet loose, wet slab and, glide crack release activity continues to occur on mostly south aspects as the spring shed cycle continues to take hold.  Some of these have been very large (D3) especiallly on Mile High and Town Mountain.

DISCUSSION:

Springtime conditions are in full effect. Our snowpack is generally stable with the only current concern being those that are created by solar input.  Snowpack stability is currently dependent on the time of day and aspect.  In areas where the snow surface is frozen, the hazard is low.  Solar aspects that are steep are going through a daily period of elevated avalanche hazard when exposed to direct sun.  This process is very predictable making mitigation of this hazard far more straightforward than avoiding other avalanche problems.  The main hazard for users will be exposing yourself to steep terrain that is baking in the sun.  Keep in mind that triggering wet loose activity is not the only concern, but includes staying out of the way of the natural shedding process that occurs each day.  Avoid grouping up and spending time beneath large sunny slopes especially ones with cornices.

Some wet slab activity has been noted as well on slopes that are producing significant wet loose activity.  Wet slab releases involve far more mass than a typical wet loose release making them far more dangerous.

Additional Concerns:

This is the time of year when cornices begin to fail.  You can significantly reduce your overall exposure in the mountains this time of year by avoiding traveling on top of or under cornices.

Glide crack releases have been observed on the southern aspects of Town Mountain lately.  Glide cracks exist in isolated areas and will be a hazard throughout the season until they fail.  Avoid exposure to glide cracks.

Valdez season snowfall: 286  inches

Valdez April snowfall: 11 inches

Valdez height of snowpack: 66 inches

Thompson Pass season snowfall: 698 inches as of 4/5

46 mile height of snowpack: 64 inches

 

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