Avalanche forecast

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The avalanche hazard is Moderate at all elevations.  It will be possible to trigger an avalanche 1-2 feet deep on recently wind loaded slopes.  Triggering deeper, more destructive avalanches remains a concern in isolated areas. Natural avalanches are unlikely.

Avalanche forecasts are issued Wednesday-Sunday at 8 am. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    North wind remains the primary driver of avalanche hazard today. A person or snowmachine could still trigger a 1–2 foot deep wind slab on recently loaded slopes. Observations from March 17 found reactive test slopes on the lee side of terrain features in some areas. Continued moderate to strong north winds, combined with a trace of overnight snowfall, will continue to build wind slabs today.

    Look for and avoid recently wind-loaded slopes. Wind slabs may appear smooth and rounded and can feel hollow or drum-like underfoot. There is also a low-probability chance that a wind slab avalanche could step down into a deeper weak layer (see Problem 2), producing a larger and more destructive avalanche.

    (3/17/2026)

    evample of a cross-loaded gully

    Photo: Gareth Brown

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–3

    We continue to track the 1/26 persistent weak layer that is found around 2' below the surface. Triggering this layer now appears unlikely. We have received very little snowfall in the last month to add stress to it, and in many places it is capped by very hard wind slabs that make it difficult for a person or snowmachine to affect.

    Still, persistent weak layers are unpredictable, and isolated trigger points may remain. We will keep this problem on the list because sensitivity could increase again with significant new snow later this season. Avoiding large connected alpine faces and complex terrain remains the best way to reduce risk.

    HS-N-R2-D3-O

    Natural persistent slab avalanche on Averys/SW that failed at a PWL on 2/20 and ran full path ~3800'.

    Photo: Gareth Brown

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    2.5–3.5

    Weak snow near the ground is increasingly common as you move North through our forecast zones, with the Continental zone being the most concerning. Although it still remains unlikely to trigger this layer, areas that have been scoured from strong northeast winds now have a shallower snowpack, making this layer closer to the surface and potentially easier for a rider to trigger.

    This is a low-likelihood but high-consequence problem most likely to be triggered in steep, rocky terrain and areas where the snowpack is thin or scoured. Triggering this layer directly is unlikely at this time, but avalanches that start in the upper snowpack could step down to the basal weak layer.  There is a high degree of uncertainty regarding the poor structure at the base of the snowpack.  

    (2/25/2026)

    Deep slab natural avalanche on The Wall / north/~5800'.  Failed sometime in mid February

    Photo: Jed Workman

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche activity in the last 72 hours:  None

Forecast Discussion

 Cold, windy weather and a trace of snowfall are expected over the next couple of days, with wind slabs remaining our primary concern. Our snowpack is variable, wind-damaged, and unusually thin for this time of year. Well below normal temperatures continue to promote faceting and the formation of weak snow within the pack.

These weak layers are not a major concern today, as the snowpack has received very little stress over the last month aside from wind loading. However, they could become more important if the weather changes. Significant snowfall, strong warming, or other major changes in the weather should be treated as red flags moving forward.

For more information regarding our snowpack, see our Season summary, Observations, and avalanche activity sections.  

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