Avalanche forecast

Continental

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.  Human triggered avalanche are possible 1-2 feet in depth.  Natural avalanches are unlikely.  Instabilities may exist in steep terrain and on specific terrain features that have been loaded by wind.  Watch for signs of instability such as shooting cracks and collapsing.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate north winds on 12/14 will have created wind slabs in wind channeled terrain and at upper elevation.  These will exist on the lee side of terrain features in wind exposed areas and on the lee side of high elevation ridges.   Human triggered avalanches will be possible 1-2 feet in depth.

    There is a lot of snow available for transport.  Wind slabs will be forming wherever winds have affected the snow surface.  The weather forecast is calling for light snowfall today with wind direction switching from north to south.  It is possible that a variety of aspects could be loaded.  Pay attention to the the affect of previous and current wind redistribution in the area you choose to travel.

    Wind slabs will often have a pillowed look and may have rippled texture on the surface.  Stiffer snow over soft is a sign of wind slabs.  Shooting cracks are a sign that instability exists.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    There is the potential that facets that have formed beneath the Turkey day crust could be a concern for the intermountain and continental zone. below 4000'.   This layer is buried by 3 or more feet of snow.

    It is unclear at this point if this layer is a concern in these areas, but is certainly worth investigating.  Dangerous avalanches would result if this layer were to fail.  Digging snowpits is the best way to assess this potential weak layer.  Since this layer is deeply buried, it is very possible that signs of instability will not exist.

    This layer has been listed as an avalanche problem due to uncertainty and its destructive potential. 

     

Avalanche Discussion

Mild weather over the last 2 days has allowed storm slabs to settle.  Storm slabs have been found to be right side up with good bonding observed at the new/old interface.  Instabilities may still exist in steep terrain, especially on convex slopes or those that are unsupported.  

There is a significant amount of snow available for transport.  This will allow for wind slabs to easily form that may be sensitive to human triggeres in steep terrain.  Watch for signs of wind loaded snow and avoid these areas where they exist on slopes steeper than 32° epsecially when signs of instability are present.  

It is possible that the thansgiving day crust may be a persistent weak layer concern.  The potential for this is unclear at this point, digging in the snow will be the best way to assess this potential problem.

Light snowfall and light to moderate winds are forecasted.  Snowfall is not expected to affect stability today, although wind will have an affect where loading is occuring.

Regions covered