Avalanche forecast

Chugach State Park

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

It is likely a person could trigger an avalanche 1 to 2' deep where recent winds have drifted snow into reactive slabs. These may have formed in unusual places, so pay close attention to warning signs like shooting cracks or collapsing as you travel. This fresh round of new and windblown snow is sitting on top of a problematic snowpack with several known weak layers which may produce much larger avalanches. Travel with caution, and consider avoiding traveling on or below steep terrain while the snowpack adjusts.

SUNDAY OUTLOOK: We will likely see a slight uptick in easterly winds tomorrow, but after the damage we've seen over the past 48 hours this is unlikely to change avalanche conditions. Recent wind slabs should be more stubborn. Although the likelihood is decreasing, there is still a possibility of triggering a large avalanche failing on deeper weak layers, up to 4' deep or more.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Forecast Operations: We have transitioned 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. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    The winds have been howling in the Front Range. We saw sustained speeds of 30 to 50 mph for nearly 48 hours straight, with gusts of 70 to 75 mph. That type of wind behavior makes it more challenging to predict where the most reactive snow will be. We often see wind slabs forming lower down on the slope with these strong winds, and it will most likely make the snow on the surface quite firm. Both of those characteristics make it possible for a person to get out into the middle of a slope before triggering an avalanche. 

    This is another reason to travel carefully today. If you are traveling into steep terrain, be aware that conditions may change significantly as you travel across a slope. Consider staying out of steep terrain for now while the snow settle out.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Recent Avalanches:  There were multiple very large human-triggered avalanches last weekend, with crowns 1' to 5' deep. This includes avalanches on Peak 3, Flattop, Glen Alps Recreation Area and Peak 2. A group was also caught in an avalanche in Falls Creek on April 17, with two people injured. We have yet to see the extent of any natural activity following the most recent storm.

    The snowpack in the Chugach State Park experienced a major loading event this week, and avalanche danger will remain elevated today even though the weather is easing off. New and windblown snow is adding stress to several buried weak layers, making it likely that a person will be able to trigger a large avalanche 2 to 4' deep or deeper. This type of avalanche problem is difficult to assess in the field, but we saw a very active period of human-triggered avalanches just before the last major loading event, and we expect we may see similar activity today.

    If you plan on getting out today it will be important to approach steep terrain with caution. This type of snowpack setup makes it possible to trigger avalanches remotely, from flat terrain connected to steeper slopes. For now the best way to manage the problem is to avoid traveling on or below steep slopes– especially those with large, connected start zones.

    (04/18/2026)

    Debris from one of many large avalanches in the CSP last week. This one was on the north side of Flattop.

     

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