Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1–2.5
Recent Avalanches: It has been over a week since any slab avalanches were reported in this zone although we expect natural avalanches occurred overnight with the storm. On March 10 a skier triggered an avalanche on Captain's Chair in the Lynx Creek drainage, and on March 7 to 11 both natural and human-triggered avalanches were reported on Notch Mountain in Girdwood. These avalanches failed on weak snow buried up to 1.5' deep.
This storm favored the Girdwood and Portage area again, just like the last storm that occurred 2 weeks ago on March 6. Turnagain Pass recorded 7" of new snow, while Girdwood and Portage recorded 10 to 12". We expect avalanche conditions could be touchy today and there are good chances a person could trigger an avalanche large enough to be fully buried. This is especially likely in places that received higher new snow amounts and wind, which includes all elevations in Girdwood, Portage, Placer and the upper elevations of Turnagain Pass. Wind Slab avalanches will be more likely in the upper elevations, and could be up to 2' deep or more with plenty of cold snow that was blown into fresh slabs overnight. Storm Slab avalanches could be triggered anywhere that received more than 8 to 10" of new snow or more. This new snow fell on weak surfaces that developed over the last 2 weeks of calm weather and it's best to give the snowpack time to adjust to the new load.
Dry loose avalanches will be very easy for a person to trigger today and could be very large and difficult to manage. Ensure you have a clear runout and a plan to manage the sluff.