Avalanche forecast

Seward and Lost Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

A northwest outflow wind event is forecast through Thursday. The winds in Seward are expected to be stronger than other areas, making it easy for a human or machine to trigger windslabs 1 to 3' deep or more above 1,000'. Softer snow can be found in areas protected from the wind.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Motorized Access:  The Forest Service has opened Johnson Pass north trailhead and the Summit area to motorized use. You can see riding area status on the Forest HERE.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Today, winds look like they should be in the 30 to 35 mph range on the ridgetops creating the fresh wind slabs that could be quite large described above. Wind slabs are usually found just below ridgelines and in cross loaded gullies, but these events can impact the treeline elevation band as well, which means wind slabs could be found in the trees. Watch for blowing snow and avoid areas with recently deposited drifts. These drifts will feel like firm snow over softer snow and a shooting crack means the snowpack needs some time to stabilize.

    Recent Avalanches: Last weekend's storm produced large avalanches across our forecast zones. See photos below for the large new snow slab avalanches in the Seward/Lost Lake area. Some riders traveled from Snug Harbor to Lost Lake yesterday and only saw one avalanche on the northeast side of Mt. Ascension, which is an encouraging sign after such a large storm.

    Dry Loose Avalanches: Dry loose avalanches were triggered by humans yesterday on steep slopes in Turnagain Pass. As of now these are small, but as the snow dries out through this cold spell they will become larger and more difficult to escape.

    Cornice Falls: Cornices are coming in all shapes and sizes at this point. Cornice cracks are also forming in some places, they have been seen in the V-Max (Snug Harbor) area and on Goldpan (Turnagain Pass). These cracks (sometimes very large and deep) form well back from the cornice edge and pose a fall hazard. Cornice falls from the storm last weekend have been observed to have traveled to the valley floor, so give cornices some space and watch that they don't fall down on you from above.  

    (1/28/2025)

    North winds picked up in the afternoon of Tuesday, January 28 blowing snow off the coastal peaks. PIctured here is Mt. Marathon.

    Photo: Mik Dalpes

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