Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Weak snow still exists 2 to 4' deep in many places above 2,500'.  While triggering an avalanche on this deeper, buried weak layer is less likely, the consequences of a persistent slab are still unmanageable.  Sticking to simple terrain and avoiding terrain traps will both be good ways to mitigate this avalanche problem.  Additionally, shallow wind slabs 6 to 12" deep formed by strong outflow winds yesterday may still be reactive.  These are most likely to be found above treeline, near ridges, convex rolls, and in steep gullies. 

Special Announcements: We are excited to roll out some changes to our Chugach State Park forecast product beginning this weekend. We will begin issuing a full avalanche forecast with a danger rating, avalanche problems, and a 24-hour outlook on Saturday mornings at 7 am.  We'll continue issuing a forecast one day per week (Saturday mornings) through the end of the season. We will test this for the remainder of the season and reassess in the spring. Thanks for bearing with us as we take this next step to continue to grow the program! 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: Several natural wind slab avalanches occurred during last week's wind storm. No new avalanches have been reported since the weekend.

    It's been several weeks now since we last saw an avalanche on the deeper layer of faceted snow, now 2 to 4' deep on average, in Summit Lake.  Until we see a major loading event, it's less likely that a person can trigger an avalanche on this deeper weak layer.  However, folks are still finding this poor structure in snowpits, and the common wisdom is to 'not trust a facet until it's in the river'.  As recently as Tuesday, Marc and Daniel were getting collapsing (whumpfing) on these buried facets in the 2,500' to 3,000' elevation band.  This poor snowpack structure continues to be a factor in our decision-making while traveling in avalanche terrain.

    (2/24/2026)

    Snowpack structure on the scoured ridge of Colorado peak, Summit Lake zone. 

    Photo: Marc Heifetz

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Judging by the weather stations, yesterday was a brutally cold day with temperatures dropping to -18 degrees F and sustained NW outflow winds blowing 30-40 mph at ridgetops.    It's days like this that I feel bad for the goats!   Much of the advisory area has taken on a moonscape appearance over the past week and a half, sculpted by winds, cold temps, and even some solar effects as we near March 1st.  Yesterday's outflow winds continued the trend, blowing any remaining soft snow into shallow wind slabs up to 1' deep.  Steep terrain near ridgelines, convex rolls, and gully features are likely areas to find shallow but reactive wind slabs today.  Areas without wind affect are few and far between right now, but if you can find soft surface snow, you can avoid today's wind slab problem.  

    At mid- and lower elevations, the avalanche danger is low but still warrants a 'normal caution' mindset.  These areas did see winds yesterday, and while unlikely, isolated terrain features between 1,000' and 2,500' could harbor shallow wind slabs in the Summit Lake zone.

    (2/24/2026)

    Walking on the moon, or a ridge above Summit Lake?  Current surface conditions leave a bit to be desired. 

    Photo: Marc Heifetz

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