Storm Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1–2.5
Heavy snowfall began overnight with 11 additional inches in Valdez as of 6 am and 6-8 inches reported by DOT on Thompson Pass and a similar amount at 46 mile. This brings storm totals to 6-18 inches so far with the higher amounts towards the coast. Heavy snow is forecasted to continue today with 2 feet of additional snowfall possible through Monday. Temperatures are expected to warm through the day and may drive the snow line to 2000' by this evening. Even if snow does not turn to rain an increase in temperatures will create heavier snowfall that will make storm slabs top heavy and more sensitive to human triggers and increase the likelihood of natural avalanche activity.
On 1/27, 6 inches of uncohesive snow (no slab) was found on a very hard low friction bed surface. New snow is expected to become cohesive (slab) as temperatures warm during the day and snowfall becomes denser. As new snow forms a slab, human triggered avalanches are expected to become likely up to 2 feet in depth in terrain steeper than 30°. New snow is expected to bond poorly with the hard wind board that was buried yesterday. Natural avalanches will become possible as temperatures warm across the area and a slab forms.
Our upper snowpack is undergoing a major change, as this change is occuring expect to find elevated avalanche hazard. Watch for signs of instability such as shooting cracks, collapsing and avalanche activity and avoid slopes steeper than 30° where they are present. Avoid exposure to terrain traps today and pay attention to not just the terrain that you are on, but also what is above you.
