Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

There is a chance a person could trigger an avalanche around a foot deep on a layer of buried surface hoar. You can completely avoid this problem by sticking to lower angle terrain away from steep slopes above you. Try to avoid spending time under glide cracks because they have been releasing into large glide avalanches across the region. Warm temperatures will make it likely to trigger wet loose avalanches on sunny slopes. The safest option is to move to shadier aspects in the afternoon.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    There is a chance a person could trigger an avalanche around 1’ deep on a layer of buried surface hoar. We are seeing red flags such as whumpfing/collapses and shooting cracks on this layer which is telling us that if the slope was steep enough we could have triggered an avalanche. This type of weak layer is notorious for taking months to heal which is unusual to a lot of us. Usually weak layers tend to gain strength faster but this has not been the case for this layer.

    A new development is that a stout crust has formed on the surface up to 2,000’ which can make us feel safer. The truth is that we are unsure how true this is, especially if the crust is thin in some spots, doesn't freeze overnight or melts in the afternoon. Do not bet this crust will keep you safe. We still have a weak layer under a slab that is capable of triggering an avalanche. 

    It has been very difficult to feel good about traveling on this layer. In Turnagain Pass people have triggered avalanches above them from relatively flat terrain as well as on slopes with many tracks on them. If you do decide to venture into steep terrain, look for slopes that fan out and do not have terrain traps where snow can pile up such as gullies or creeks.

  • Glide Cracks

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

    Warm temperatures have arrived and with that we have seen many glide cracks releasing into large glide avalanches. These have been running to valley bottoms where people may be traveling. Glide cracks can release spontaneously into a large avalanche so the safest option is to avoid traveling under them. 

    Wet Loose Avalanches have been releasing naturally and will be easy to trigger on sunny slopes (east, south, west) as temperatures warm up. These may release from a point and get larger as they carry more snow down the slope or trigger a small slab avalanche. Seek shadier slopes if you find yourself in the sun and see rollerballs releasing. Worst case scenario, one of these avalanches could trigger a large avalanche on a buried weak layer. 

    Cornices tend to start falling in the spring and could trigger an avalanche from above. As the temperatures warm up in the afternoon try to avoid spending time underneath cornices especially if you are on sunny slopes and give them a lot of room on ridgelines. 

    (3/27/2025)

    Recent glide releases on the south side of Wilson South.

    Photo: Caleigh Warner

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