Lawinenlagebericht

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Hochgebirge
4 · Gross
Waldgrenze
4 · Gross
Unterhalb
3 · Erheblich
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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 HIGH above 2000' and Considerable below.  Human triggered avalanches are very likely today up to 4-6 feet in depth. Natural avalanches are likely.  Travel in avalanche terrain is not reccomended.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Our snowpack continues to be put under significant stress by  near continous snowfall over the last 60 hours.  This snowfall has been accompanied by moderate to strong southerly winds.  

    Snowfall totals are likely in the 4-6 foot range above 2500' with 2-3 feet below that.  Temperatures are decreasing and precipitation rates have slowed, although have not yet stopped.  The avalanche hazard will remain high today as an additional 4-8 inches of snow today adds weight to an already overloaded snowpack.  Human triggered avalanches are very likely 4-6 feet in depth.    Travel in avalanche terrain is not reccomended.

Avalanche Discussion

Preliminary storm totals from 12/10 through early morning 12/13 are:

 Nicks Snotel (4200')-51" with a 40" change in snow height recorded in a 24 hour period between 12/11. 3 am and 12/12 3 am.    

Thompson Pass- Estimated ~50" by DOT staff.

Valdez- 20" with a lot of rain.  3.7" of new water was recorded 12/10-11.  12/12 data not yet available.

Below 4000' this storm was deposited on a couple feet of dry snow above the Thanksgiving rain crust.  Faceting has been observed at and below this crust in colder locations north of Thompson Pass, while the crust remains strong on Thompson Pass and south where it has been warmer.  As skies clear it will be interesting to see the spatial distribution of natural avalanche activity and if this crust has acted as a weak layer in the continental zone.

Above 4000' A deeper snowpack exist with more spatial variabilty.  Prior to the latest storm upper elevation snowpack was believed to be strong.  Weak snow may exist at the base of the pack in some locations, although it is believed that much of this was cleaned out by the even larger 11/9 storm cycle. 

Whatever the snowpack consisted of prior to this storm doesn't matter today.  The amount of snow we have received has created very dangerous avalanche conditions for the short term.  It is reccomended to give the snowpack time to heal, and once again avoid avalanche terrain today.

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