Deep Persistent Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Unlikely
- Size
- 2–3
Recent Avalanches: There were two large natural avalanches in the Girdwood Valley, near Fish's Breath and Raggedtop, that occurred during the wind event on Saturday night. Otherwise, recent observations have only recorded small wind slabs in the alpine in recent days.
Light snowfall is expected throughout the region today, but the southwesterly flow associated with this storm tends to favor the Anchorage Front Range and Hatcher Pass for heavier snowfall totals. About 1 to 3" of new snow is expected from Girdwood through Seward today, with the rain line remaining at sea level or possibly rising to 100 to 200'. This amount of new snow is not going to be enough to form new snow avalanche problems.
Our main avalanche concern today is the very low likelihood of triggering a large avalanche on a buried weak layer 2 to 6' deep. The snowpack has been gaining strength over time, but a skier or rider still has a small chance of triggering an avalanche from a thin spot in the snowpack near rocks or a wind-scorred ridge. This problem is isolated to higher elevations, above 2500', due to the ice crusts that formed in the snowpack below this elevation two weeks ago. To avoid this issue, you can stick to lower elevation slopes or limit your exposure to large steep slopes in the alpine.
In addition to the buried weak layers, you could find an isolated stubborn wind slab from the recent strong winds in steep terrain near a ridgeline. Dry loose avalanches (sluffs) are also possible if you can find an area sheltered from the wind.
NWS Anchorage Snowfall Forecast for Today's Storm.