Avalanche forecast

Seward and Lost Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Stubborn wind slab avalanches around 1’ deep are our main concern today. These are typically found below ridgelines and convex rolls and could be as low as 1,000’. Look out for shooting cracks as well as soft snow that becomes firmer, clear signs you are traveling on a wind slab. To reduce your group's exposure to this problem look for softer snow sheltered from the wind and expose one person at a time on steep slopes. 

______________________________

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Join CNFAC for the annual Turnagain Pass Avalanche Awareness Day TOMORROW, March 14, from 12–4 PM at the motorized lot. In addition to free burgers and hot dogs, you can run rescue drills, chat with forecasters, and demo sleds with AMDS, Anchorage Yamaha/ Polaris. Meet the forecasters and partners from the Alaska Avalanche School, Anchorage Nordic Ski Patrol, and Alaska Search and Rescue Dogs. Come refresh your skills, talk snowpack, and eat a hot dog or three!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: There was a human triggered wind slab avalanche on Mt Eva, near Seward, on Tuesday. The avalanche was about 1’ deep, up to 100 wide and was triggered on a wind-loaded roll at 1,400’. 

    Strong winds on Monday into Tuesday favored Seward and Lost Lake blowing soft snow into wind slabs around 1’ deep. At this point these are older and will be harder to trigger but still worth looking out for. They typically form below ridgelines and convex terrain features above 1,000’ as we saw with the Mt Eva avalanche. Look for shooting cracks as well as snow transitioning from soft to firmer, all signs you are travelling on a wind slab. If you do get into steep terrain, safe travel techniques such as exposing one person at a time and watching your partners from safe spots are great ways to reduce your group's exposure. 

    Dry Loose Avalanches are likely on steep slopes. These shouldn’t be too big but could be troublesome if you get carried through trees or into terrain traps where snow can pile up.

    (3/10/2026)

    View of the crown of human-triggered avalanche on Mt. Eva on Tuesday, which was about 1' deep on average 

    Photo: Mik Dalpes

Regions covered