Avalanche forecast

Maritime

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.  Expect to find elevated hazard on specific terrain features that have been loaded by recent wind.  Human triggered avalanches will be possible 1-2 feet in depth.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Field observation from 12/26 found that the Christmas eve storm had a lot of wind associated with it.  This was especially apparent in wind channeled terrain.  A variety of wind slabs exist that are generally 6-12 inches in depth with some energy observed (shooting cracks and small failures on test slopes).   Human triggered avalanches are possible today 1-2 feet in depth.

    Light snowfall last night is not expected to elevate the hazard much in wind protected areas. Valdez received the higher end of snowfall overnight with 5-6 inches shown on the sugarloaf snotel and a trace-2 inches on the north side of the pass.  Decresing temps should allow wind slabs to slowly gain strength and become stubborn to human triggers since there is no facets involved at the wind slab interface.  Flagging increased through the day from SW wind on high elevation ridgetops, so expect to find fresher more sensitive wind slabs in these areas.

    Today pay attention to wind slab distribution and its sensitivity.  Ask yourself these questions:  How deep are slabs? What are their sensitivity?  Are they pockety in nature or has a continous slab formed across a slope that could release as a cohesive unit?  The location map above has been left blank because wind slabs will exist on a variety of aspects.  Their presence will depend more upon location than aspect.

    Good stability was observed in wind protected areas and the same will likely apply for today.

    Example of pockety wind slab

    Photo: Gareth Brown

Avalanche Discussion

Watch for the presence of wind slabs today.  Where they are present, pay attention to their depth, sensitivity and distribution along the terrain you travelling (variable or continous?).  Wind slabs can be recognized as hard snow over soft.  Look for signs of instability such as shooting cracks and collapsing.

Good bonding was observed at the new/old interface yesterday.  No other field observations have been reported so don't assume this is the case everywhere.  Asses bonding of the storm snow in the area you choose to travel.

Seeking out wind protected snow will provide better stability and riding quality today.

Early morning through afternoon is expected to be a rare day of mild weather with light winds and little to no precip expected.  North winds are forecasted to become strong this evening through Thursday.  

Regions covered