Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Wind slabs up to 1' deep and loose snow avalanches on steep southern aspects are the main concerns today. You can reduce your exposure by avoiding terrain traps and monitoring the snow surface to see how much the sun is causing melt that could increase the size of loose snow avalanches. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    The Summit Lake area didn't get as much new snow from the latest storm compared to Turnagain Pass, so the main concern continues to be lingering wind slabs. Winds are expected to be relatively light today, averaging 5 to 10 mph from the north. There is limited soft snow on the surface available to form new wind slabs, so we expect them to be small and exist in isolated pockets on leeward slopes.

    To identify wind slabs you can look for pillows of hollow feeling snow near ridgelines and convex features. These can be common in steep rocky terrain and could have higher consequences if you are travelling above terrain traps. 

  • Loose Wet

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

    Now that we have moved into Spring and the temeratures are not as cold as last week, Loose Snow Avalanches on steep southern aspects are likely to produce natural avalanches later in the day. These avalanches start out small but can entrain a lot of snow on big slopes and create a large debris pile. If you notice loose snow avalanches releasing in the area you are travelling you can always switch to a shadier aspect to reduce your exposure. 

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