Avalanche forecast

Summit Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago.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

Highlights

A weak layer of snow near the ground is being overloaded by precipitation and wind this week, causing widespread natural avalanche activity. Continued stormy weather today will make natural and human triggered avalanches up to 2' deep likely. We recommend a cautious approach to avalanche terrain and trying to avoid traveling in the runout zones of overhead avalanche paths. 

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    A weak layer of faceted snow near the ground is creating dangerous avalanche conditions in Summit Lake. Many large natural avalanches have occurred over the past few days. Strong winds and the potential for additional rain and snow today will make natural and human triggered avalanches up to 2' deep likely. We recommend sticking to low angle slopes and avoiding runout zones of overhead avalanche paths. 

    Wet Loose: The wet snow on the surface will also make wet loose avalanches easy to trigger today. These avalanches are especially dangerous near terrain traps like gullies and cliffs. 

     

     

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2–3

    Glide avalanches are releasing at an alarming rate in Turangain Pass and Girdwood. The Summit Lake area doesn't appear to have as much glide avalanche activity but very little is known about what causes these large and destructive avalanches to release. We recommend giving glide cracks a wide berth today and treating them as if they could release at any moment. 

    (12/4/2024) Photo: Daniel Krueger

Regions covered