Lawinenlagebericht

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Hochgebirge
4 · Gross
Waldgrenze
4 · Gross
Unterhalb
3 · Erheblich
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Kernpunkte

There is a high likelihood that a person or machine could trigger a large avalanche today.  Natural avalanches will be possible, especially in areas that didn't slide during the recent storm.  Travel on or below avalanche terrain is not recommended. Do not be lured into hazardous terrain if the sun comes out this afternoon. 

Avalanche forecasts are issued Wednesday-Sunday at 8 am.   

Lawinenprobleme

  • Storm Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Very Likely
    Größe
    1–3

     

    There is a high likelihood thata person or machine could trigger an avalanche 1-5 feet deep today. 

    Recent heavy snowfall at mid and upper elevations is likely to be poorly bonded to underlying surfaces. Additionally, older snow containing deeply buried weak layers will be under a significant amount of stress.  Very dangerous avalanche conditions will exist in many areas. If the sun comes out, solar aspects will rapidly become increasingly hazardous with an increase in Natural activity.  Avoid travel on or below avalanche terrain today.

    It will be important for recreational users to avoid the temptation to travel on or below steep terrain if the weather clears today.

     

    Natural Storm Slab on 4/23, Billy Mitchell.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Multiple weak layers exist throughout our snowpack, including weak snow at the ground. Deep storm slabs that developed at middle and upper elevations are under significant increases in stress due to recent snow loads and warming temperatures. When these layers fail, they can create very large, dangerous avalanches that could run to the valley floor. Stay out of avalanche terrain and clear of runout zones.

    (4/21/2026)

    Persistent slab avalanche triggered by a ski touring party

    Photo: Unknown

  • Loose Wet

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

    We are experiencing a break in the weather after a long duration wet storm saturated the snowpack at lower elevations and deposited heavy snow up high. Many areas down low experienced a widespread wet avalanche cycle during the storm and will likely produce limited activity today. If the sun comes out this afternoon, sunny slopes in the mid to upper elevations will rapidly become hazardous as the new snow heats up. We encourage backcountry users to avoid traveling on or below sunny slopes today that could possibly produce large natural avalanches if the sun comes out. 

     

    (4/18/2026)

    Large Wet loose running down onto Loveland Glacier from Tones Temple ridge. 

    Photo: Joshua McDonald

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche activity in the last 72 hours:

Observations are limited over the last 72 hours due to obscured skies, but we expect a significant avalanche cycle to have occurred. 

4/22-24 - Widespread wet loose to D2 at lower elevations

4/23-Natural storm slab avalanche on Billy Mitchel. D2.5

 

Forecast Discussion: 

We have a variety of hazardous avalanche problems caused by significant amounts of new snow, wind drifting, warm temperatures, and possibly solar radiation. Although the situation is complicated, the solution is easy. Backcountry travelers should avoid traveling on or below avalanche terrain today! There is a high degree of uncertainty about conditions right now due to a lack of observations during the storm; however, we do know that our snowpack just underwent serious changes. We hope to gain more info today with the break in the weather.  Stay tuned for updates, and please consider helping out by submitting an observation. 

For more information regarding our snowpack, see our Season summary, Observations, and avalanche activity sections.  

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