Avalanche forecast

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche hazard is HIGH at all elevations.  Human triggered avalanches are very likely and large natural avalanches are likely.  Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    2–3

    Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist today.  DOT crew has estimated that 3 feet or more of wet heavy snow has fallen on Thompson Pass overnight with rain below 2000'.  Heavy snow has been accompanied by strong southerly winds loading specific slopes even deeper.  Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended today.   Avoid exposure to avalanche terrain including runouts, natural avalanches may run full path.

    The stress of new snowfall will likely overwhelm the strength of the snowpack in certain locations.  Natural avalanches are likely, although it is possible that the brunt of avalanche activity occurred overnight during peak warming.  

    1-2 1/2 feet of additional snowfall is expected today at upper elevations before precipitation tapers off.  Snow lines are expected to return to at or near sea level by this evening.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Rain on snow will make human triggered and natural wet loose avalanches likely today.  Keep in mind that even small wet loose slides can be dangerous especially when terrain traps are involved.

    Avoid avalanche terrain,  slopes from above may send avalanche debris into lower elevations.

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    The current storm system will be a great test of the strength of the Thanksgiving day crust.  This layer has been found below 4000' buried 3- 7 feet in depth.  

    Very large natural avalanches may initiate at this layer today.

     

Avalanche Discussion

Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist today.  Avoid avalanche terrain including runouts.

It is possible that peak hazard occurred overnight coinciding with peak warming and winds.  Although, HIGH avalanche danger will continue today as 1-2 1/2 additional feet of snow is expected in the next 24 hours at upper elevations with falling temperatures.

Regions covered