Avalanche forecast

Douglas Island

Coastal Alaska Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

The strong Northerly outflow winds subsided a bit yesterday and are expected to be moderate today but loading of lee slopes is still happening and building wind slabs that are reactive to triggers. Look for signs like textured snow surfaces, blowing snow, and hollow sounds to identify wind slab and avoid these areas. Seek out wind protected areas and broken up terrain to find high quality light and dry snow. Unbroken wide slopes that have seen windloading should be avoided as wind slabs have the potential to produce bigger avalanches.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slab is again our primary avalanche problem as wind loading was still happening yesterday although at a slightly lesser rate due to wind speeds dropping a bit.  Where wind slabs were present yesterday they  were reactive and fairly easy to trigger which will continue to be the case today.  

  • Loose Dry

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Dry loose is less likely to be a problem today as a lot of snow surfaces are now wind affected but could still be an issue if you find a wind protected steep area with unconsolidated fresh snow.

Avalanche Discussion

In general things are much the same as yesterday but lighter winds and less wind loading mean natural avalanches are less likely today.  Many small isolated wind pockets were easy to trigger yesterday with one larger slide reported on Cropley chute, you can read about it under Observations.  Great skiing/riding/snowmachining can be found in wind protected areas at mid to lower elevations. Bundle up, find some good partners, travel wisely and try to avoid wind slab especially on larger uninterrupted slopes!

Regions covered