Avalanche forecast

Seward and Lost Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A northerly outflow wind event is impacting the Seward area today. Avalanches in new and windblown snow up to 2' deep could be triggered by a person today in any area exposed to the wind. This can be avoided by looking for terrain sheltered from the wind or choosing low angle slopes.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

There is a wind advisory in effect from March 9 1200AM AKDT until March 10, 06:00PM AKDT for the Seward area, get the details here.

We’re excited to announce the annual Turnagain Pass Avalanche Awareness Day on Saturday, March 14! We will be up in the Turnagain Pass motorized lot from noon until 4 pm, along with AMDS, Anchorage Yamaha and Polaris, Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol, Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs, and the Alaska Avalanche School. Stop by to demo a snowmachine, run through some avalanche rescue drills, or just grab a free burger or hot dog and chat with CNFAC forecasters about current avalanche conditions.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs today may be found in many places due to the variable wind direction the last few days and the weak surfaces that lie below these new slabs. Watch for red flags like recent avalanches, shooting cracks and whumpfing. If you notice them, change the plan and move to lower angle slopes. There are a few things to keep in mind today as you travel:

    • New wind slabs are forming from strong winds today and should be easy to identify by looking for blowing snow. These can be found below ridgelines, on steep rolls (like so many that exist in Lost Lake), and in cross-loaded gullies. 
    • Wind slabs were found by an observer yesterday on Mt. Alice below 2,200' and these may still be reactive today due to the weak surfaces below. These will be trickier to identify because there may not be active wind transporting snow onto them. They are most likely and most concerning in places that recieved  more than 1' of new snow on Friday.

    Dry Loose Avalanches - In steep areas that have been spared by the wind, it will be easy for a person to trigger small dry loose avalanches. These should be small and relatively managable, but keep an eye out for what's below in case they sweep you off your feet.

    (3/8/2026)

    North wind blowing snow off Marathon Mt. on Sunday

    Photo: Mik Dalpes

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