Avalanche forecast

Seward and Lost Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Another 3-6+" of fresh snow above 1000' combined with strong easterly winds are forming fresh wind slabs at treeline and above. Human triggered avalanches in wind loaded areas up to a foot deep are likely today. Wet loose avalanches at lower elevations and glide avalanches are additional concerns to keep in mind.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Free avalanche outreach events next week on the Kenai Peninsula!

Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kenai River Brewery in Solodotna from 6:00 to 7:00 pm - Join forecaster Daniel Krueger to talk about the state of the snowpacks and useful backcountry tips and tricks. More info here.Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Breeze Inn Hotel in Seward from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Join forecaster Mik Dalpes to talk about the state of the snowpacks, mapping resources, and how to interpret stability tests. More info here.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Strong winds averaging 40 mph at ridgetops combined with 3-6+" of additional snow overnight will be rapidly forming wind slabs up to a foot deep at treeline and higher elevations. The snowfall and strong winds are expected to continue through midday with higher snow totals expected in the Turnagain Pass and Girdwood area compared to Seward and Lost Lake. To identify wind slabs look for active wind transport, shooting cracks, and hollow feeling pillows of snow near ridgelines and convex features. Human triggered avalanches in wind loaded areas are likely.

    Last week there was a widespread layer of weak snow on the surface which could cause wind slabs to release on lower angle slopes than normal. So far this weak snow layer has not shown signs of causing avalanches, but we are tracking this weak layer as we gradually get more snow piling up.

    Warm springlike temperatures are causing wet loose avalanches and rollerballs at mid and low elevations. With rainline around 1000' today, we expect wet loose avalanches to continue.

    Glide Avalanches: Several glide cracks have been slowly opening through the region with one releasing a few days ago on the south end of Seattle Ridge. We recommend trying to avoid traveling underneath glide cracks if possible. 

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