Avalanche forecast

Douglas Island

Coastal Alaska Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Light to moderate snowfall rates throughout the day Saturday, combined with warming daytime temps and periods of moderate SE winds, have developed a storm slab avalanche problem in the middle and upper elevation zones of Douglas Island. Storm slabs are most reactive while actively building and for the first 24-48 hours once they have been established. Human triggered storm slab avalanches will be possible in middle and upper elevation terrain especially on steep features, unsupported slopes, and lee features that saw additional snow deposition during the storm.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Storm slab conditions occur when new storm snow has trouble bonding with older snow surface layers. Storm slab conditions are most reactive for the first 24-48 hours after they develop. Storm slabs can be very reactive to human triggers and avalanches will often propagate out from under the feet of a skier or rider. Shooting cracks and storm snow that feels cohesive or "upside down" are signs of reactive storm slabs.  With Storm slab conditions the  potential for slab fracturing accross terrain often can be underestimated.

Avalanche Discussion

Skiers and riders on Douglas were all smiles on Saturday as light to moderate snowfall rates and light to moderate winds persisted throughout the daytime hours. While these conditions produced great skiing and riding, they started to produce very reactive storm slab conditions in upper elevation terrain by the afternoon hours. Several observations and reports of shooting cracks and wide propagating human triggered storm slab avalanches from multiple areas of the fish creek valley on Saturday signal that there is significant potential energy that is being stored within our new storm snow. These conditions will likely persist in middle and upper elevation terrain Sunday keeping human triggered storm slab avalanches up to D2 in size possible in those zones. As for weather, snowfall mostly tapered off by late Saturday. A brief period of freezing rain occurred at sea level during the evening hours Saturday however it is unknown at this time whether or not this freezing rain event happened at higher elevations. Otherwise, Sunday and Monday look to be a lull in the active weather pattern as mostly cloudy skies, moderate winds, and temperatures from the 20’s to near freezing are currently forecasted before snow and more active weather returns to the region as early as Monday night bringing the potential of another round of storm and possibly wind slab problems for alpine areas of Douglas for the mid-week period.        

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