Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

New snow and strong winds are creating dangerous avalanche conditions. This new and windblown snow is loading a problematic snowpack, making it easy to trigger avalanches 1 to 2' deep, and we may see avalanches failing naturally. Approach avalanche terrain cautiously, and avoid traveling on or below steep, wind-loaded slopes.

 ___________________________________

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

We have issued an Avalanche Warning through the National Weather Service, in effect from 6 am today through 6 am tomorrow. This warning does not include the Summit Lake zone, but it does include every other CNFAC zone.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory in effect until Sunday Morning.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent avalanches: A snowboarder triggered an avalanche on the backside of Seattle Ridge on Thursday in the Turnagain Pass zone in Jr's Bowl, which triggered another avalanche as it ran. Nobody was caught or carried. Natural wind slabs were observed in Summit Lake on Tuesday. 

    The storm that has impacted the broader area is looking to skirt by Summit Lake, with only 4 to 6" new snow expected by the end of the day. However, even though the new snow totals are modest, this will be enough to make for dangerous avalanche conditions. The storm has arrived with strong easterly winds, which will be forming fresh and touchy wind slabs up to 1 to 2' deep. These will be adding weight to a snowpack that has been giving us clear warning signs — including recent avalanches, shooting cracks, collapsing, and poor stability tests.  This all suggests the likelihood of triggering a large avalanche failing deeper in the snowpack is on the rise.

    If you are getting out today, it will be important to approach steep terrain cautiously. Pay attention to new loading, and avoid traveling in any steep terrain with fresh drifts of windblown snow. Look for better stability in wind-protected areas with less new snow on the surface.

    Storm totals as of 6 am this morning:

      Snowfall Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) Girdwood 10" 0.8" Portage 6-10" 0.8" Turnagain Pass 6" 0.5" Summit Lake 1" 0.1" Seward 5" 0.3"

     

    (1/9/2026)

    Shooting cracks at about 2400ft on an unsupported section on the skin track on Tenderfoot Ridge.

Regions covered