Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Strong winds overnight and continued snow and wind today will make human triggered wind slabs around 1' deep likely at upper elevations. In addition, wind loading onto buried weak layers could increase the likelihood of larger avalanches in isolated areas. We recommend a conservative approach to avalanche terrain today by avoiding runout zones of large avalanche paths that could be actively loading from wind transported snow.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Very strong winds averaging 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 85 mph overnight have formed widespread wind slabs at upper elevations. We expect these are around 1' deep and are likely to be triggered by a person today. With the strength of the winds, snow can be transported further downslope than normal, so wind slabs can exist in uncommon locations. Keep an eye out for shooting cracks, hollow feeling pillows of snow, or avalanches on small test slopes to identify where wind slabs are located. 

    Cornices could fail naturally today as the added snow and wind cause them to grow larger. Keep an extra safe margin if you are traveling along ridgelines and try to avoid being underneath cornices that are being wind loaded.

    Glide avalanches are still a concern across the forecast area. Try to avoid spending time underneath glide cracks to limit your exposure to this unpredictable hazard. 

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    The current storm has followed the recent trend of leaving Summit Lake mostly high and dry in terms of new snowfall. With the lack of new snow load, we think human triggered avalanches on buried weak layers remain unlikely. The most concerning areas where buried weak layers could cause natural or human triggered avalanches will be in wind loaded gullies at upper elevations. Wind loading can add weight to the snowpack very quickly, and the lack of visibility will make it hard to see where wind loading is taking place. So, we recommend a conservative approach to avalanche terrain today by avoiding the runout zones of large avalanche paths.

Regions covered