Avalanche forecast

Seward and Lost Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

There is a HIGH avalanche danger in the Kenai mountains due to heavy snowfall and strong winds. Natural avalanches are likely and human triggered avalanches are very likely during and just after the storm. In the lower elevations where rain is falling, debris from avalanches above could run down into snow-free zones. Travel in avalanche terrain is NOT recommended.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

This is our second forecast for this zone ever, and we are excited to gather more information from both our field days as well as from folks out riding. If you get out in the Snug Harbor or Lost Lake areas we'd love to hear what you see. Drop us a quick note or send in some photos on our observation page if you have a minute! If you haven't seen it yet, check out our field day from Friday near V-Max.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Dangerous avalanche conditions exist as the latest storm in the region has peaked overnight and will be exiting today. Only a few inches of snow has fallen but southeasterly winds have been strong. The rain/snow line looks to be around 1,500-2,000'. Watch for signs of recent avalanches and avoid slopes over 30 degrees with nothing steeper above you. There are a lot of unknowns still for this region (Snug Harbor to Lost Lake). But, we do know there were several large avalanches in the past couple days near the V-Max hill area that is just south of the Snug Harbor access. This, along with another storm, is ample reason to stick to lower slope angles if heading out to find some soft snow. 

    Storm snow avalanches: Any number of different types of storm snow avalanches likely occurred last night and could still be occurring today. These are storm slabs on slopes out of the wind with over 8" or so of new snow, wind slabs 1 to 2 feet deep or deeper on any wind loaded slope, and cornice falls. If the rain line creeps up higher than forecast then wet snow avalanches may be seen on slopes under around 2,000' in elevation.

      

    (1/17/2025)

    Avalanche forecasters Daniel and Graham surveying the damage from a large avalanche in the V-max area (near the Snug Harbor access from Cooper Landing) that is thought to have occurred Sunday 1/12/25.

    Photo: Andrew Schauer

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