Bollettino valanghe

Maritime

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Alta quota
4 · Forte
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
3 · Marcato
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In sintesi

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. The avalanche hazard is HIGH above 3000 feet and CONSIDERABLE below.  Skier triggered avalanches are very likely, and natural avalanches are likely.  Travel in avalanche terrain is not reccommended above 3000 feet.

Daily avalanche forecasts will conclude on April 30th.   After that general avalanche information will be available.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Very Likely
    Dimensione
    2–3.5

    Snow line has been fluctuating between sea level and 3000'. Warm temperatures have limited snow accumulation below 3000' over the last few days, but have created other avalanche problems (see Problem 2).

    Above 3000', deep storm slabs have developed and created very dangerous avalanche conditions. Human-triggered avalanches are very likely, with slab depths up to 6 feet possible. Natural avalanches are also likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended above 3000'.

     

    Snowmachine triggered avalanche in Gully 1

    Photo: Sled Ski Alaska

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    2–3.5

    The most likely avalanche problem for users to encounter today will be wet loose and wet slab avalanches, especially below 3000'. Several days of near or above-freezing temperatures, rain on snow, and overnight cloud cover preventing a refreeze are all combining to drive heat deeper into the snowpack.

    As free water moves deeper into the pack, wet slab avalanches are becoming increasingly likely. The most susceptible locations will be solar aspects, slopes below 3000', and thin, rocky areas where the snowpack is shallow and weak. These are the places where depth hoar has been found to be most developed. As water percolates into this weak snow, it becomes less capable of supporting the weight of the snowpack, especially with the added load of a skier or snowmachine.

    Some clearing may develop later today. If that happens, expect snow sensitivity to rise rapidly. The best way to reduce this hazard below 3000' is to make conservative terrain choices and avoid terrain traps, overhead hazards, and steep slopes with wet snow. Keep in mind that natural avalanches from upper elevations may run into lower elevation terrain.

    Travel in avalanche terrain is not reccommended above 3000'.

     

     

    (4/25/2026)

    Significant wet loose and  storm slab natural avalanche activity

    Photo: Gareth Brown

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    3–3.5

    Deep storm snow accumulations above 4000' and free water percolating into weak layers below 3000' are putting major stress on weak layers in the mid and lower snowpack.  Depth hoar that has been dormant for the majority of the season is moving towards becoming active.  Storm slab and wet loose avalanches have the potential to step down and produce deep slab avalanches.

    Expect this avalanche problem to remain until the snowpack has melted, and be sensitive until we receive a pattern change towards drier weather and solid overnight freezes.

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche activity in the last 72 hours:  Heavy cloud cover has prevented any natural avalanche observations in the last 72 hours.

Forecast Discussion: 

Unusually wet spring weather has been loading a weak and variable snowpack. Since 4/16, Valdez has received 5.34" of water, with 2.7" falling in the last 72 hours. At upper elevations, that has translated into roughly 5 feet of snow, much of it drifted into deeper deposits by periods of strong south wind.

Cloud cover has prevented observations at upper elevations over the last few days, which adds uncertainty, but the overall trend is clear: significant snow and rain have fallen on what was already a reactive snowpack.

We have repeatedly seen snowpack sensitivity spike when the sun appears, even briefly. Both human-triggered and natural avalanches have occurred during these short clearing periods, and each round of clearing has produced deeper and more widespread activity than the last. There is potential for clearing today into tomorrow. If the sun makes a meaningful appearance, expect another rapid rise in avalanche activity.

For more information regarding our snowpack, see our Season summary, Observations, and avalanche activity sections.  

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