Avalanche forecast

Douglas Island

Coastal Alaska Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
4 · High
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wet and heavy snow sits on top of light sugary faceted snow that gives us a very touchy upside snowpack at all elevations and aspects. Numerous skier triggered avalanches, lots of shooting cracks, poor stability test results, and many natural avalanches were reported yesterday. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended as human triggered avalanches are very likely and natural avalanches are likely. 

Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Our active storm slab continues to grow allowing slabs to be deeper and potentially propogate farther.  As well as an ever growing storm slab it also turned upside down yesterday as our temps spiked and wetter heavier snow was deposited on top of lighter sugary snow. Avalanches and failures of the storm slab yesterday were collapsing on the old snow/ new snow interface which now is currently 24-30 inches down and growing. Wet slab, wind slab, and persistant slab problems are all on the rise but as we are still in the midst of this impressive storm we are encompassing them all into our storm slab problem.

Avalanche Discussion

Considerable amounts of heavy wet new snow have now overtopped our cold weak snowpack. Periods of heavy snow and warming temps yesterday combined with strong winds at high elevations have added major stress to the snowpack.  With snow expected to continue today and tonight, avalanche danger will stay elevated. Avoid avalanche terrain and give our snowpack an opportunity to adjust to the new stress!

Regions covered