Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Light new snow and moderate northwest winds will add stress to persistent weak layers buried 6–12" deep, increasing the chance of human-triggered avalanches in steep and wind-loaded terrain. Poorly refrozen snow at lower elevations may produce larger wet loose avalanches that can become destructive. Avoid steep terrain if sinking ankle-deep or deeper into wet snow, and use caution on wind-loaded slopes where signs of instability are present.

MONDAY'S AVALANCHE OUTLOOK: Chances of large wet snow avalanches are expected to increase as poor overnight refreezes combine with strong solar warming under clearing skies. Avalanche danger will start MODERATE in the morning and rise to CONSIDERABLE by afternoon and evening, with natural wet loose avalanches likely and wet slabs possible — especially at lower elevations. Human-triggered slabs on buried weak layers 1–2' deep remain possible in steep, wind-loaded terrain. Stick to lower-angle slopes and avoid terrain traps to minimize your exposure. If you are sinking ankle-deep or deeper into wet snow, switch to shadier aspects to avoid natural wet avalanches.

______________________________

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Forecast Operations: Beginning this week we will be forecasting Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Our last forecast will be Thursday, April 30th followed by our annual "Spring Tips" forecast on May 1st. 

Hiking on trails below avalanche paths this time of year is dangerous and not recommended.  Avalanches may release into valley bottoms, covering up summer hiking trails. This includes the Byron Glacier Trail and the Trail of Blue Ice in Portage Valley and the Crow Pass Trail in Girdwood Valley. Remember that as long as there are snowy mountains above you, avalanches can come down to snow-free hiking trails.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent observations show the potential for small slab avalanches on buried weak layers in isolated pockets of wind-loaded terrain at upper elevations. These slabs are 6–12" deep and are most likely to form along ridgelines, gullies, and convex features. Watch for shooting cracks or areas of active wind loading as key signs of instability. To minimize exposure, steer clear of terrain traps such as cliffs, gullies, and trees, where even a small avalanche could have more serious consequences.

    (4/11/2026) 

    Large shooting cracks where an avalanche released but did not slide downhill on Hale Bopp in Summit Lake.

  • Loose Wet

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

    Recent Avalanches: A slab avalanche was reported on Wilson Peak on Friday, and several collapses and smalls slabs were reported on Hale Bop on Saturday. These recent avalanches are a mix of small wind-loaded pockets and wet avalanches. 

    Today’s light snowfall is arriving on an atypical northwest flow, favoring the Front Range, Hatcher Pass, and the western Kenai Mountains. Summit Lake is expected to see only 1 to 2" of new snow. Winds will remain moderate, averaging 5–10 mph with gusts to 20 mph.

    Cloudy skies overnight likely prevented a solid refreeze of the wet surface snow at lower elevations and on solar aspects. Combined with the chance of rain rising to 500', larger wet loose avalanches may become more likely today, especially at lower elevations. These often start small but can quickly gain momentum and volume, becoming surprisingly destructive as they run to the bottom of paths.

    If you are sinking into wet snow up to your ankle or deeper, it is a clear sign to avoid steep terrain. Wet loose avalanches can entrain significant snow and run farther than expected.

    Wet Slab Avalanches are also becoming more likely as meltwater moves deeper into the snowpack. In areas receiving rain today or where the snow feels saturated, there is potential for larger wet slabs to release on old weak layers. These avalanches can be very large and highly destructive — the best strategy is to avoid avalanche terrain entirely during periods of strong melt or rain-on-snow.

    Snowfall forecast for Sunday, 4.12

    Photo: NWS Anchorage

Regions covered