AKAMINA PARKWAY IS CLOSED DUE TO AVALANCHE CONDITIONS CHECK 511 FOR UPDATES!!
Warm temperatures, fresh windslab, and rain have increased avalanche hazard. Windslabs may be built on surface hoar in sheltered locations. If heading out choose terrain carefully.
Strong to extreme SW winds have built windslab at all elevations. These slabs may be built on a surface hoar layer that was buried on Dec 14th.
One notable size 3.5 avalanche on the east slopes of Bertha Peak. This avalanche initiated in windslab at ridgecrest and ran all the way into town covering the alley of South Evergreen in debris.
A widespread natural avalanche cycle took place in the week leading up to Christmas. Storm slab results to size 2 were observed from the Akamina Parkway.
Extreme westerly winds have formed windslabs at all elevations. Many exposed start zones are stripped back to old surfaces. This overlies a settling midpack. Below 1900m the lower snowpack is faceted, however, no failures have been observed. We are tracking two separate unreactive crusts from early-season warm-ups.
A 2022-12-14 surface hoar layer has been found in sheltered areas and may have been responsible for an avalanche cycle before Christmas. The distribution of this layer since the wind event is unknown.
Tuesday
The warming trend continues with alpine temps of +2. Light precip through the day falling as rain at lower elevations and snow in the alpine. Up to 10mm of precip is forecast. Winds will be strong from the SW.
Wednesday
Alpine temps fall below zero today with a high of -3. Light flurries through the day today with moderate SW winds.
Thursday
Alpine high of -5 with light flurries and broken skies. Wind will be moderate out of the SW.
