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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Highlights

An avalanche Warning is in effect until 7 am Saturday. The avalanche hazard will remain High today. Destructive human-triggered and natural avalanches are likely and may run long distances. Recent natural avalanches have hit the Richardson Highway. Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended. 

Public avalanche forecasts are issued Wednesday-Sunday at 8 am. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Deep unstable storm slabs have become top-heavy with warming temperatures and periods of rain below 2000 feet.  An additional 1-2 inches of Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) is expected today, with the highest amounts in the maritime Zone. This could amount to another foot or two of snow where temperatures remain below freezing. Natural and human-triggered avalanches within the new snow are likely and could step down into deeper persistent weak layers, contributing to larger avalanches.  Avoid travel in or below avalanche terrain. 

    Additional Hazards: Roof avalanches - Be aware of wet snow sliding off steep roofs!

     

    24-hour snow totals courtesy of the National Weather Service

    Photo: NWS

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Large natural avalanches are able to reach the Richardson highway. Yesterday, an avalanche in Snowslide Gulch caused a road closure that remains in effect this morning. Continued Natural activity is likely today, and human-triggered avalanches are very likely. Large and destructive persistent slab avalanches may run long distances.  Avoid travelling in or below avalanche terrain. 

    Deep Persistent Slab:  The problems above will likely become deep persistent as the storm snow buries weak layers over a meter deep in the near future.

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche activity in the last 72 hours: Snowslide Gulch: Avalanche hit the road, but there are limited details.  

Forecast Discussion: 

 Valdez has received about 3.3 inches of Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) since the begining of this storm. This fell mostly as snow to sea level, changing to rain late Thursday night, and is now back to heavy snow this morning.  Storm snow accumulations for Valdez are close to 3 feet, with higher amounts above town. About 2 feet of storm snow has been reported from Thompson Pass. To the North, lower elevations have remained rainy with little accumulation down low and unknown amounts of snow up high. Weather models are predicting an additional 1-2 inches of SWE  before this storm dissipates this afternoon. Multiple avalanche problems will continue to be sensitive today, with a natural avalanche cycle expected to continue.  Avoid travel in avalanche terrain. Do not stop in avalanche areas on the roadway.  Do not hike below avalanche paths. If you see avalanche activity, please report it to us or post an observation.

 For more information regarding our snowpack, see our Weather History or Observations sections. 

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