Avalanche forecast

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

The avalanche hazard is Moderate above 2000 feet.  Shallow wind slabs will be possible to trigger on specific slopes less than 1 foot in depth.  Natural avalanches are unlikely.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Shallow wind slabs were observed yesterday (3/12) above the brush line that showed some reactivity in small pockets on the lee side of terrain features.  There are currently only minor amounts of snow available for transport, which will limit the depth and extent of wind slab formation.  10 cms of soft snow above the late February wind effect was observed in Browns Creek yesterday which had moderate wind redistribution that created shallow pockets of wind slab.  Snow available for transport may be deeper in other zones, although this has not yet been observed and is unlikely to exceed 20 cms (8 inches) at this time.  Winds have been light to moderate and have been blowing out of multiple directions.

    Keep an eye out for how much soft snow is available for transport in the area you choose to travel.  Identify the predominant wind direction and which aspects would be loaded.  Watch for shooting cracks or collapsing on test slopes that would indicate that human triggered wind slabs are possible on specific slopes.  Keep in mind that even shallow avalanches can be dangerous if triggered in extreme terrain or above terrain traps where debris will pile up deeper.  There is some chance for light snow and light/moderate wind.  Today's weather is not expected to be elevating the avalanche hazard.

Avalanche Discussion

Snowpack and riding conditions remain largely unchanged from the last few days.  Very hard snow surfaces that were created in late February have created a lot of strength in the upper snowpack with avalanches unlikely below this layer in the short term.  This may change as old wind effect is buried and begins to lose strength and breakdown, however this has not yet been observed to be occurrring.  New snow above this wind damaged layer is minimal with only minor accumulations occurring over the last 4 days.  Valdez has only received 5 inches of snow this month with .2 inches of water.  

Surface Hoar and Near surface facets have been observed and reported on multiple aspects that were buried on 3/9, however new snowfall amounts are insufficient thus far to form a storm slab of any consequence.  Shallow new snow, some wind reditribution and warm temps will be making this layer's distribution more spotty.  Deeper storm slabs may exist at the periphery of our forecast area, although these have not been observed.  Multiple cloudy days have limited observations, although only minor accumulations have been noted near the road corridor.  At this point shallow wind slabs will be the main concern that are scattered acoss lee aspects.  If you find more than 8 inches of soft snow in the area you choose to travel look for the presence of faceted snow at the interface and use test slopes and snow pits to test its sensitivity.

Glide cracks exist in isolated areas and will be a hazard throughout the season until they fail.  Avoid exposure to glide cracks.

Valdez season snowfall: 254  inches

Valdez March snowfall: 5 inches

Valdez height of snowpack: 70 inches

Thompson Pass season snowfall: 596 inches as of 3/1

46 mile height of snowpack: 70 inches

 

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