Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

It is likely a person will be able to trigger an avalanche 1 to 2' deep in recent windblown snow, especially at and above treeline. This new snow is adding stress to several buried weak layers, increasing the chances of triggering a larger avalanche. Travel with caution today, and consider avoiding spending time on or below steep terrain.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Forecast Operations: We have transitioned to our late season forecasting schedule, issuing forecasts Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Our last forecast will be Thursday, April 30th followed by our annual "Spring Tips" on May 1st. 

Hiking on trails below avalanche paths this time of year is dangerous and not recommended.  Avalanches may release into valley bottoms, covering up summer hiking trails. This includes the Summit Creek and Devils Pass Trails in the Summit Lake area. Remember that as long as there are snowy mountains above you, avalanches can come down to snow-free hiking trails.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Recent Avalanches: Three large slab avalanches occurred on the west side of Butch Mountain on Thursday.A large avalanche was observed on the north aspect of Tri-Tip Monday, which propagated widely across the slope and ran towards Tenderfoot. 

    New and windblown snow from the past two days is adding weight to a snowpack with multiple buried weak layers. These layers were reactive earlier in the week, and we expect they will be capable of producing large avalanches today. These may be up to 2 to 3' deep or deeper.

    We are now at the stage where this problem is less likely to give warning signs before making a big avalanche. While you may see things like shooting cracks or collapsing, these signs will not always be present even when conditions are dangerous. With higher uncertainty and more severe consequences, it is best to use the terrain to manage this problem. Consider avoiding traveling on or below steeper slopes, especially where there are terrain traps like trees, cliffs, rocks, or gullies in avalanche runout zones.

    (4/23/2026)

    Debris from one of several large natural avalanches seen on Butch this week.

    Photo: Dalpes

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    We should see a little break in the weather today and tomorrow, but the wind slabs that have formed over the past 48 hours may still remain reactive today. These are most likely just below ridgelines, convex rolls, and in steep gullies. They may give you clear warning signs like shooting cracks, but that won't always be the case. This type of problem can quickly be assessed using quick travel tests like hand pits or test slopes. If you are noticing a reactive snowpack, avoid traveling in steep terrain. Keep in mind the poor snowpack structure described in Problem 1 has increased the complexity for now, and that should drive your terrain choices. When in doubt, you can avoid trouble by staying out of steep terrain.

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