Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Highlights

The main concern is triggering a large avalanche on a buried weak layer 1 to 4’ deep. Natural avalanches may occur today. This storm delivered strong southeast winds (40 to 100 mph) and more than 15” of new snow above 2000’. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. The safest option is to avoid traveling in avalanche terrain. 

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

From the Alaska Department of Transportation: There will be intermittent traffic delays Tuesday January 7th, 2025 on the Seward Highway and Portage Glacier Highway for Avalanche Hazard Reduction work from mileposts 83 (South of Girdwood and North of Portage). Motorists should expect delays of up to 45 minutes between 09:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Updates will be posted on 511.alaska.gov.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Dangerous avalanche conditions exist today. Overnight, strong east winds and around 2”+ of water (15”+ of snow) have increased the chance for a human to trigger a large avalanche 1 to 4’ deep on a layer of buried weak snow. This is the largests storm of the season for Summit Lake. This new snow will add a lot of stress to these buried weak layers. It is likely that there were natural avalanches that failed on a weak layer during this storm and they may release naturaly today. 

    This is the day to move slowly and intentionally in the backcountry. Assess conditions carefully, looking for recent avalanche activity, shooting cracks and whumphfing sounds underneath you. With this type of problem, clues may not exist and the consequences could be severe. The safest option is to choose lower angle slopes. 

    Storm totals since the beginning of the storm - all snowfall guesses are above 2000':

    • Girdwood: 3.5-4" water (40+" snow). 
    • Turnagain Pass: 3+" water (~36" snow).                                                            
    • Summit Lake: 1.5-2" water (15-20" snow).                                    
    • Seward/Lost Lake: 3 to 4"" water (35 to 45" snow). 

    (1/5/2025)

    High winds and snowfalll will make it easy to trigger an avalanche in Summit Lake today.

    Photo: Trevor Clayton

  • Storm Slabs

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

    It will be likely for a human to trigger a large avalanche 2 to 3’ deep in the storm snow above 2,000'. These slabs may be deeper where snow has been blown into wind slabs 3 to 4’ deep (more about this below). All this snow has fallen on weak snow that was on the surface before this storm. We are not sure how easy it will be to trigger an avalanche on this layer which is a big question mark. 

    Assess conditions carefully, looking for recent avalanche activity, and shooting cracks underneath you. Test small slopes as you travel. Missing a clue or making a mistake could have severe consequences. Expose one person at a time to the slope you choose to ride and use safe zones. The safest option today is to avoid steep slopes. 

    Cornice Fall: Huge cornices have likely formed after this storm and may fall off ridges, triggering a large avalanche above you. They are probably near their breaking point so try to avoid traveling under slopes where they have formed. 

     

    (1/5/2025)

    Shooting cracks on a wind loaded test slope in Turnagain Pass. These conditions will also exist in Summit Lake. 

    Photo: Andrew Schauer

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