Avalanche forecast

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Dangerous human-triggered avalanches are possible in specific areas where buried weak layers 1-2 feet deep have produced recent avalanche activity.  Areas with over a foot of recent storm snow will be the most sensitive. Steep sunny aspects and low elevations will be hazardous as the snow becomes moist this afternoon. Low elevations may have a saturated snowpack with an increased hazard. 

Avalanche forecasts are issued Wednesday-Sunday at 8 am. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–3

    Avalanches: Recent activity includes human-triggered avalanches in NoName Creek. Remote-triggered slide on the "Island"- slope was previously skied over a dozen times. 

    We are still finding buried surface hoar and layers of facets under windslabs in the top 2.5 feet of the snowpack in some areas. Recent snowfall and increased temperatures elevated stress on our upper snowpack earlier this week. Persistent weak layers are adjusting to this stress and gaining strength, but it remains possible for a human or machine to trigger a hazardous avalanche in some areas. This will most likely be on colder mid- to upper-elevation slopes that are sheltered from the sun and have recently accumulated significant new snow. Unfortunately, this problem is hard to assess and will show no signs of instability before an avalanche occurs. Avalanches on previously skied slopes are possible. Using cautious travel protocols and terrain selection are the only ways to mitigate this problem. This is increasingly important as you move into new terrain. Avoid travelling on or below steep alpine slopes when possible. If you decide to ski steep terrain, do so one at a time and have planned escape routes in the event of a large avalanche

    Deep Persistent Slab: Weak snow buried over a meter deep is increasingly common as you move North through our forecast zones, with the Continental zone being the most concerning. Although it still remains unlikely to trigger this layer, areas that have been scoured from strong northeast winds now have a shallower snowpack, making this layer closer to the surface and potentially easier for a rider to trigger. The best way to check for deeply buried weak snow is by using your probe to feel for decreasing resistance below stiffer slabs. 

    This is a low-likelihood but high-consequence problem that may become more of a concern as warming temperatures penetrate deeper into our weak snowpack in the near future. 

  • Loose Wet

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

    Increasing solar radiation following the snowfall earlier this week produced a widespread wet loose avalanche cycle on 4/10. Quite a bit of shedding occurred, especially on solar aspects in the maritime zone during the afternoon. Yesterday's activity was much less widespread due to partly cloudy conditions and lower amounts of loose snow on sunny slopes. Even though the natural cycle has slowed, it will be likely for a human or machine to trigger wet loose snow on sunny aspects this afternoon.  East slopes will be the first to be affected and will be followed by the South and West slopes later in the day, and possibly the NorthWest in the early evening. Pay attention to the aspect you travel on today, and the timing of sun exposure. Keep in mind, slopes that are stable on your way out in the morning could become hazardous on your return trip. Signs of instability associated with this problem will be easy to spot and include moistening of surface snow, "roller balls", and small loose slides. If you see any of these, it will be best to stay off steep slopes where even a small wet slide could be hazardous.  Low elevations where the entire snowpack is becoming moist/wet will have an elevated hazard and may slide to the ground. 

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche activity in the last 72 hours:  

4/9/26:

-Widespread natural wet loose to D2.5 throughout all zones up to ridgetops on Solar aspects

- No Name Creek: 2 human-triggered avalanches believed to be persistent slab D2.5, D2

-Gully2: Human Triggered D1.5  storm slab mid-mountain Gulley 2

-The Island: Human (remote) triggered D2 persistent slab 2 ft deep

Forecast Discussion: 

Spring is the time when overhead hazards become an increasing concern in the afternoon. Choose routes that avoid travel under cliffy terrain, cornices, or sunny steep slopes. Keep in mind that falling cornices, rocks, and dense wet loose snow may travel long distances, potentially affecting flatter terrain below. Be sure to have a large buffer zone if you are dealing with these overhead hazards. 

Please consider leaving an observation with storm totals and/or any signs of instability or avalanche activity that you encounter to help us paint a clearer picture of this complex and unusual snowpack. 

For more information regarding our snowpack, see our Season summary, Observations, and avalanche activity sections.  

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