Lawinenlagebericht

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

The avalanche hazard is Moderate above 4000 feet elevation.  Human triggered avalanches are possible 1-3 feet deep in isolated areas at upper elevations.  Below 4000' Human triggered avalanches are unlikely.  Natural avalanches are unlikely at all elevations.

Public avalanche forecasts are issued Wednesday- Sunday at 8 am

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    1.5–2.5

    It has been a week since E and NE winds redistributed large amounts of snow into deep wind slabs in specific areas. During this period windslab avalanches up to 4 feet deep and full depth hard slabs had released throughout the forecast area. Over the last week wind slabs have gained strength and have been found unreactive in multiple locations, aspects and elevations.  At this point, triggering a wind slab avalanche is unlikely.  The avalanche hazard has been left at Moderate at upper elevations due to the unlikely, but deadly chance that a human triggred wind slab avalanche could step down to the ground.

     Benign weather conditions will continue to allow wind slabs to gain strength.  Snowpits continue to show a strong mid and upper snowpack at multiple loactions, elevations and aspects.

     

    Wind formed sastrugi formations are one of the many varieties of wind affected snow you can expect to encounter.

    Photo: Gareth Brown

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    3–4

    A symphony of storms in January came to a crescendo on 1/30 as 60 mph North winds redistributed massive amounts of dry snow, triggering a deep slab natural avalanche cycle.  The trigger in this case was simple overloading of the snowpack over a short period.  The pattern of these naturals is above 5000', mostly on the northern half of the compass, full depth, and very wide propagations. Smaller triggers such as a human or snow machine would be unlikely to trigger avalanches this deep at this time.

    These types of avalanches are becoming increasingly unlikely but we are keeping the problem on our radar because of the notable size of many deep persistent slabs in the area.  Although unlikely, travelers should consider the possibility of a smaller avalanche or a cornice fall triggering a deeper slab avalanche in isolated areas at upper elevations.

     Catastrophic avalanches were observed on the following peaks in the area over the last 2 weeks.  North Ramp of Mt Francis, East face of Sapphire, North face of Goodwills, Mt Dimond area, Berlin Wall, and the North Face of Three Pigs.  Many more exist.

     

    (2/1/2025)

    Three Pigs North Face HS-N-R5-D4

    Photo: Kyle Sobek

Avalanche Discussion

Observed Avalanche Activity last 72 hours: 

None

For information about the previous Deep slab avalanche cycle click the avalanches tab below the bottom line statement once you have entered the full forecast for a partial documentation of activity.

Three Pigs natural avalanche information click link here.

Forecast Discussion:

Dry and relatively calm conditions will continue to prevail throughout the area. This looks to be the case for the majority of the upcoming week. There has been minimal avalanche activity in our area for several days. Our mid and upper snowpack contains no persistent weak layers and will continue to gain strength over this period of mild weather.  Expect stable conditions until we get another dose of precipitation. 

 The disconcerting deep slab avalanche cycle at the end of January is behind us.  However, we can't rule out one of these avalanches being triggered by a large load in the future such as cornice fall, human human-triggered avalanche that steps down, or the spring thaw later this season.  

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Additional Information:

A weather and snowpack season history is available by clicking on the Season Summary tab which is located above the bottom line statement once you have entered the full forecast.

Season Snowfall Data

Location 24 hour Snowfall Inches- 2/2 24 hour Snow Water Equivalent Inches Height of Snow February Snowfall Inches Season Total Snowfall Valdez    0    0    30     0      Thompson Pass    0    0   N/O    0    ~500 Nicks    0    0    143    0 N/O 46 Mile    0     0   22    0 N/O

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