Bulletin d’avalanche

Chugach State Park

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Danger d’avalanche

Sun
Alpin
3 · Marqué
Limite forestière
3 · Marqué
Sous la limite
2 · Modéré
Périmé — ce bulletin a expiré 4 months ago. Vous consultez des conditions passées, pas le bulletin en cours.

Points saillants

Bottom Line: Dangerous conditions exist, with large to very large human-triggered avalanches likely up to 5' deep. Recent winds and recent new snow built fresh wind slabs yesterday and have added stress to a weak, faceted snowpack. Human-triggered avalanches are likely, especially on steep, wind-loaded slopes. If clouds break and the sun comes out, wet loose avalanches may develop—particularly at lower elevations.  If you start sinking into wet snow, move to shaded terrain. Use conservative terrain choices.

SUNDAY OUTLOOK: Avalanche danger is expected to rise as a stronger system moves in. Heavier snowfall (up to 4" with up to 1" of new water) and stronger SE winds (35–45 mph), and warming temperatures will rapidly increase loading. Wind slabs will grow thicker and more widespread, and the chance of triggering a persistent slab will increase. Human-triggered avalanches will be likely, and natural avalanches are likely  in heavily loaded areas. Conservative terrain choices will be essential, travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. 

Problèmes avalancheux

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Likely
    Taille
    1.5–2.5

    Recent Avalanches:  Recent avalanche activity highlights dangerous conditions in Chugach State Park. Multiple human-triggered  persistent slab and wind slab avalanches have been reported, with crowns 1' to 5' deep. Human-triggered avalanches on Peak 3, Flattop, Glen Alps Recreation Area and Peak 2 show these slabs are sensitive and capable of producing large avalanches. A group was also caught in an avalanche in Falls Creek yesterday, with two people injured. Primilary information can be found in this acticle.  Earlier this week, several wet avalanches were reported, including large slides on Harp Mountain and Rusty Point

    Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in Chugach State Park, with human-triggered avalanches likely. Multiple weak, faceted layers remain in the snowpack, and recent loading and rapid warming have reawakened several of these layers. Avalanches may be triggered on steep slopes—especially those that have been previously wind-loaded—and could be 1'–5' deep.  These avalanches may propagate widely and fail deeper than expected. Conservative travel is essential—avoid steep slopes, be mindful of connected terrain, and stick to lower angle options where consequences are limited.

    Wet Loose: If clouds break and solar input increases, the surface snow may warm quickly—especially at lower elevations where a rain/snow mix is possible. This could lead to wet loose avalanches on steep slopes. Watch for signs of warming like rollerballs, pinwheels, or surface snow becoming damp and sticky.   Timing is critical—travel early while the surface is frozen, and move to cooler, shaded terrain as it softens. Avoid steep slopes and terrain traps during peak warming.

    (4/17/2026)

    Skier-triggered avalanche on Peak 2

    Photo: Azriel Sellers

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpin
    • Limite forestière
    • Sous la limite forestière
    Probabilité
    Likely
    Taille
    1–2

    Human-triggered wind slab avalanches up to 1' deep are likely. Recent snow combined with SE winds has formed fresh slabs on leeward slopes, especially near ridgelines and in cross-loaded terrain. Look for signs of wind loading like rounded pillows and shooting cracks. Avoid steep, wind-loaded terrain.

    (4/17/2026)

    Photo of Peak 3 weather station showing sustained, strong, SE winds

    P hoto: Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center

Régions couvertes