Avalanche forecast

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Today's avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE  due to ongoing windslab formation throughout our forecast zones. Large amounts of dry snow continue to be redeposited into sensitive wind slabs on leeward slopes. Skier-triggered avalanches 1-3 feet in depth are likely where recently formed wind slabs exist.

Public avalanche forecasts are issued Wednesday- Sunday at 8 am

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5–3

     

    Dangerous avalanche conditions continue to exist today. Winds slab formation driven by NE-SE winds has been ongoing for several days. Backcountry travelers should expect to find wind slabs that vary in age, sensitivity, and physical characteristics throughout all forecast zones and at all elevations.   Recently deposited snow will be the most sensitive to human triggers today and will likely be softer and thinner than slabs formed more than 24 hours ago. Older slabs will be harder,  deeper. and stubborn to triggers. Be cautious about venturing out onto slopes with seemingly unreactive hard slabs. These may be triggered by hitting a thin spot or by triggering a small avalanche that steps down into a deeper layer. Although stubborn to triggers, harder slabs may be able to propagate long distances creating destructive avalanches.

    Human-triggered avalanches 1-2 feet deep are likely in areas with fresh windslab. Deeper hard slabs to 4 feet deep will also be possible to trigger in specific areas.   

    Pay attention to the direction of the wind and translate that information into what slopes will be loaded.  Try to plan your route today to avoid these slopes.  Wind slabs will have a hollow drum-like feel today and shooting cracks or collapsing are red flags that indicate that a slope has the energy to produce an avalanche.

    With Northerly winds Subsiding, the windslab problem is expected to decrease after today. Stay tuned for updates on the situation,

     

    (1/30/2025)

    Remote triggered Hard slab. Comstock lowers.

    Photo: Gareth Brown

Avalanche Discussion

Observed Avalanche Activity last 72 hours: 

D3 on North Ramp Mt Francis. HS-N-R4.5-D3

D2 Remote triggered hard slab on lower Comstock. 

Forecast Discussion:

The dynamic weather patterns we have had lately will give way to mild conditions coming into the weekend. Expect dry sunny conditions with decreasing winds and increasing temperatures over the next few days. Upcoming benign conditions will allow current wind slabs as well as our entire snowpack to gain strength. 

 

Additional Information:

In addition to avalanche hazard, very cold air temps along with strong winds will create dangerous wind chill values.  Be prepared with the proper gear as -45° F wind chills are expected today on Thompson Pass.

A weather and snowpack season history is available by clicking on the Season Summary tab which is located above the bottom line statement once you have entered the full forecast.

Season Snowfall Data

Location 24 hour Snowfall Inches- 1/30 24 hour Snow Water Equivalent Inches Height of Snow January Snowfall Inches Season Total Snowfall Valdez    0    0    30           Thompson Pass    0    0   N/O    300+    ~500 Nicks    0    0    161    N/O N/O 46 Mile    0     0   22    13 N/O

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