Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Likely
- Größe
- 1–2
Recent Avalanches: There were multiple avalanches observed near Seward and Snug Harbor during the wet and stormy weather last week. Over the weekend, no new avalanches were reported, but we have very limited field information since the stormy weather passed.
A much-needed refresh of snow is on the way today. Let's hope that we end up on the higher side of the forecasted storm totals, which could bring up to 6" of new snow to Turangain Pass, Summit Lake, and Snug Harbor. In favored areas like Girdwood, Portage, and near Seward, 8 to 12" of new snow are possible today with rain line forecast to stay below 500'. Strong east winds will accompany the new snow, with averages of 30 to 40 mph and gusts of 60+mph throughout the day.
As the new snow piles up and east winds redistribute it throughout the alpine, the likelihood of natural or human-triggered avalanches up to 1' deep will increase throughout the day. These are most commonly found along ridgelines and exposed terrain features near treeline and above. Looking for places where snow is being transported by the wind, shooting cracks on steep test slopes, and feeling for hollow pillows of wind-blown snow on leeward slopes are good ways to identify the type of terrain features where wind slabs could be triggered today.
Storm slabs are also possible in sheltered areas if the new snow gets to 8 to 10" deep or more. This is most likely near Girdwood, Portage, and Seward, where higher new snow totals are expected today. With the new snow falling onto an icy snow surface below 2500', these storm slabs could be easy to trigger and run a little further than normal if the storm produces near the high end of expected snow totals. Dry loose avalanches (sluffs) are also likely on steep terrain features where the new snow might not bond to the old snow surface very well.
NWS Anchorage Office Snowfall Forecast for February 10, 2026
