Bollettino valanghe

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
3 · Marcato
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In sintesi

Today we have considerable avalanche danger at all elevations. Recent heavy snowfall above 1000ft has created a storm slab 2-3 feet deep. Human-triggered avalanches will be likely today especially where the snow has been affected by wind. Recent warming has created a moist snowpack in lower elevations increasing the risk of triggering a dangerous wet-slab avalanche. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    1.5–3

    The recent storm has brought an estimated 2-3 feet of snow to upper elevations that have remained below freezing. Recent observations have shown evidence of instabilities within the new storm snow. Shooting cracks and failures on test slopes were observed on wind-loaded features during the storm. Expect to be able to trigger avalanches 1-3 feet deep today on layers within the storm snow or at the new/old snow interface. Moderate to strong southeasterly winds have redistributed the snow creating more sensitive slabs on leward and crossloaded features.

    If you get out today pay attention to the snow depth and texture.  Snow that appears to be wind-affected or feels stiffer will likely be unstable on slopes over 32 degrees.  Assessing the snowpack on lower-angle terrain and small test slopes will be prudent today since there is some uncertainty regarding the stability of the new snow. Clear calm weather today should allow for more observations that will clear up some of this uncertainty. Please submit any observations if you get out today. 

     

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–3

    Recent warming and heavy rain below 1000 feet have saturated the upper snowpack. As of last night temperatures dropped to well below freezing but there may still be moist snow below the surface. This will be likely to freeze up in the next day or two but for now, we will keep the wet-slab problem on our radar. 

    Over the last 2 days, dangerous conditions have been observed in Keystone Canyon. There have been several large avalanches observed, some in areas that are used by ice climbers. All of these were wet slabs having destructive potential. One buried 100 feet of road with 10 feet of debris on 2/21. If you travel in lower elevation areas be sure to assess the moisture content of the snow and how deep this moisture penetrates. Temperatures may be below freezing today but there could be residual wet snow in the upper snowpack that could create a significant hazard. For the time being it is best to avoid steep, low-elevation slopes in areas like Keystone Canyon and Mineral Creek. These areas have significant overhead hazards that can be hard to assess because they may be out of view. 

    Over the next few days and into next week we will see much cooler temperatures that will freeze any moist snow. Expect updates on this situation over the next couple of days. 

Avalanche Discussion

This week has brought us warm springlike conditions with a heavy dose of moisture. Steady rain in lower elevations has saturated the upper snowpack to around 1000 feet. Above 1000 feet there has been significant snowfall with up to 2-3 feet at higher elevations.  Severe weather and the closure of Thompson Pass have limited our observations for the last few days so there is a moderate amount of uncertainty with forecast details. Clear cold weather over the next couple of days should allow for some good observations of the distribution, depth, and stability of the new snow. Additionally, we will continue to monitor the moisture content of the upper snowpack in lower elevations.

Cornice and glide crack hazards continue to be on our radar. Glide cracks have been observed in all three forecast zones.   Some of these have recently been obscured by new snowfall, making them more difficult to identify.   Avoid traveling beneath these as full-depth avalanches can release unexpectedly. Cornices may be unstable from significant loading over the last several weeks with recent warming contributing to instability.  Several large cornice releases have been observed during this period. 

Dynamic weather has created several potential hazards in the mountains for this period.  Be sure to identify the avalanche problem in your area and have a plan to mitigate the hazard it creates. 

For the weekend into next week expect moderate Northerly outflow winds and cold clear weather for Valdez and Thompson Pass. 

Valdez season snowfall: 240  inches

Valdez February snowfall: 34 inches

Valdez height of snowpack: 84 inches

Thompson Pass snowfall data is currently unavailable

46 mile height of snowpack: 76 inches

 

 

 

 

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