Avalanche forecast

Maritime

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche hazard is Moderate above 2000 feet and low below.  It will be possible for a person to trigger an avalanche less than 1 foot deep in specific areas.  Natural avalanches are unlikely.

There is no hazard rating at low elevation for the Maritime zone due to a lack of snow.

Avalanche Forecasts will be issued 3 days/week during December.  5-day/week forecasts will return in January once 2026 funding comes through.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    An inch or two of snow has accumulated over the last 24 hours with another inch possible before light snowfall tapers off.  North winds are on the increase early this morning and will become strong by this evening.  The new snow that has fallen will easily be redistributed into shallow wind slabs on lee slopes.  Many areas will be stripped of the new snow keeping the avalanche hazard low along the majority of terrain.  Users should expect to find reactive wind slabs 2-8 inches in depth on specific lee slopes.  

    Pay attention to wind redistribution patterns, such as fresh wind lips, wind direction, and strength.  These clues and factors can help you anticipate where wind slabs may exist.  Test slopes can give you an idea of the sensitivity of fresh wind slabs, however the depth can vary depending upon terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche activity in the last 72 hours:  None

Forecast Discussion:  

After a very dry, cold, and windy December we are finally seeing some clouds and a few snowflakes.  Unfortunately the wind isn't quite done with us.  It looks like this weekend will see the 4th major wind event of the month, with gusts to 80 mph expected in the windiest areas.    Once winds ramp up above 60mph the small amount of new snow we have received will be stripped away with minimal wind slab deposition.  Not only will the new snow be easily sublimated due to its light and dry nature, but snow will have a hard time sticking to slippery surfaces that range from rain crust below 3000' to rock hard wind slabs above. The best chance for wind slabs to form and be reactive will be today while wind speeds are still light to moderate, yet sufficient to transport new snow.

The December drought has left us with a thin faceted (weak) snowpack.  This is not a current stability issue, however once meaningful snowfall arrives we will likely have various avalanche problems.

Additional Details:  There is no field data from the Maritime zone due to low snow coverage and thick brush restricting access.  Numerous Glide avalanches have released in the Maritime zone in the mid elevation band.  Some of these may have failed without previous visible glide cracks.  Avoid travel below glide cracks as they can fail at any time.  Their likelihood of failure is independent of the snowpack stability.  Check out the season summary tab for more information on the development of the snowpack.

 

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