Avalanche forecast

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

The avalanche hazard is Considerable above 4000' in specific locations.   Fresh wind slab created by north wind  is the main concern for today.  Human triggered avalanches are likely 6-18 inches in depth on the lee side of high elevation ridges.  Hard snow over soft is a characteristic of wind slab and shooting cracks is a direct indicator of unstable snow .    The hazard will be lower in areas that are unaffected by wind.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate northeast winds kicked up in wind channeled terrain on 12/1.  Shallow wind slabs  up to 6 inches in depth were observed in close proximity to Thompson Pass.  Fresh wind slabs are expected to be sensitive to human triggers on the lee side of high elevation ridges and cross loaded terrain 6-18 inches in depth.  Pay attention to the direction of previous wind and amount of snow redistribution in the area you choose to travel.  Avoid steep terrain that has been loaded in the last 24 hours, especially areas in close proximity to Thompsom Pass where winds have been the strongest.  Wind slabs can be indentified as having a pillowed texture as well as stiffer snow over soft.  Shooting cracks and natural avalanche activity are a bullseye indicator of unstable snow.

Avalanche Discussion

On 12/1 a mostly stable snowpack was observed with good bonding of the new snow found and no persistent weak layers yet identified.  The exception to this, was areas where the north wind  began to redistribute the abundant amount of storm snow that fell last week.  In most locations wind loaded snow was shallow and not much of a concern.   The Considerable rating for today pretains to specific locations including lee aspects of high elevation ridge lines and cross loaded terrain.  In these locations human triggered avalanches are likely 6-18 inches in depth.  In areas that are found to have sheltered snow the hazard will be lower.  

Regions covered