Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Another light storm is passing through today bringing light rain and snow above 1,300'. There is still a chance a person could trigger a large avalanche up to 2' deep above 2,500'. Wet avalanches could be a concern, especially if solar facing slopes warm up more than expected. If you find yourself stepping up to your shin in wet snow it means conditions are becoming dangerous. Choose low angle slopes with nothing steep above to avoid all of these problems.

FRIDAY AVALANCHE OUTLOOK: Another weak system is expected on Friday, but precipitation amounts do not look like enough to overload the snowpack. If the crust on solar facing slopes breaks down, wet avalanches will become a concern. If you sink up to your shin in wet snow it means conditions are dangerous. There will still be a small chance a person could trigger an avalanche up to 2' deep on weak snow above 2,500'. We will issue our next avalanche forecast on Saturday.

______________________________

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Forecast Operations: Beginning this week, we will be transitioning to our late season forecasting schedule, issuing forecasts Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Our last forecast will be Thursday, April 30th followed by our annual "Spring Tips" on May 1st. 

Hiking on trails below avalanche paths this time of year is dangerous and not recommended.  Avalanches may release into valley bottoms, covering up summer hiking trails. This includes the Summit Creek and Devils Pass Trails in the Summit Lake area. Remember that as long as there are snowy mountains above you, avalanches can come down to snow-free hiking trails.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: Almost a week ago, on Friday, a slab avalanche was reported on Wilson Peak. On Saturday, an observer reported several collapses and small wet avalanches on Hale Bopp and the surrounding area. 

    The collapses that occurred on Saturday on Hale Bopp are a concerning sign that the weak snow buried up to 2' deep is capable of producing an avalanche. There was some significant northwest wind that occurred on Tuesday that may have increased the load on this weak layer in some places and today there will be a little bit of new snow and wind. We think this problem is probably stubborn to trigger in this area, but we can't rule out the possibility right now.

    The way to reduce your chances of getting injured or buried is to choose slopes that fan out at the bottom with no rocks or trees in the path. The most likely trigger spots are close to rocks and it's possible the 3rd, 4th, or 10th person on the slope could trigger the avalanche.

    Wind slab: Southeast ridgetop winds are just high enough to build some small fresh wind slabs. These can be found below ridgelines, on steep rolls, and in cross-loaded gullies. A shooting crack is a red flag that means an avalanche could occur.

  • Loose Wet

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

    If the thick crust on southerly facing slopes remains intact today, the danger will be lower on these particular slopes. The easiest test to see how much melt is occurring is to step off your machine or boards and step into some untracked snow with your boot. If you sink to your shin in wet snow (snow that you can squeeze water out of) conditions are getting dangerous and it's time to choose lower angle slopes with nothing steep above.

    The danger this time of year can be very difficult to predict and depends on many factors including temperature, cloud cover, and precipitation, which can all change quickly. The chances for wet avalanches today will depend on how much the crust breaks down (or doesn't) on solar facing slopes. There isn't enough precipitation forecast to be very concerning with just 1 to 2" of new snow expected in the main forecast area. 

    Cornice Fall: With today's conditions (light snow, moderate wind and cloud cover) we don't expect cornice fall to be a big concern, but this time of year unexpected things can happen so give cornices a wide margin on the ridge and keep an eye on them if you are passing underneath.

    (4/16/2026)

    Snow forecast for today from 4AM to 4AM Friday courtesy of the National Weather Service Anchorage Office

     

Regions covered