Bollettino valanghe

Seward and Lost Lake

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

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

It is likely a person will be able to trigger a large avalanche failing 1 to 3' deep within yesterday's new and windblown snow. There is a chance these may impact deeper weak layers, producing much larger avalanches. The likelihood of natural avalanche activity will increase if the sun comes out. Travel with caution today, and consider avoiding traveling on or below steep terrain.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Forecast Operations:  Our scheduled forecasting season is coming to a close with an intense storm, and avalanche conditions will remain dangerous through the weekend. We will issue forecasts through the weekend before posting our 'Springtime Tips' on Monday.

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.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    2–3

    Recent Avalanches: There was debris from multiple large loose avalanches seen from Seward on Wednesday evening. We are hoping to get a better idea of the extent of any natural activity from yesterday's storm today.

    With a break in the weather on the heels of an intense storm, we are heading into the kind of conditions where avalanche accidents happen. Yesterday's storm brought 1.5 to 2' snow to the Seward/Lost Lake area (favoring the coastal mountains), along with easterly winds that averaged 30 to 40 mph for most of the day. That snow will remain reactive today. It is likely a person will be able to trigger an avalanche up to 3' deep within new and windblown snow. These avalanches failing near the surface have the potential to step down to deeper weak layers, producing much larger avalanches. See Problem 2 for more.

    Don't let today's quiet weather fool you– conditions are still dangerous. Approach steep terrain with caution.

    Cornices: Yesterday's winds have continued to build very large cornices. With warm temperatures and a chance for some sun today, they will be more likely to fail. Give cornices plenty of space if you are traveling on ridgelines, and limit spending time below them.

    Wet snow avalanches: The snowpack below treeline will be loose and saturated following yesterday's storm. It is likely a person will be able to trigger a wet loose avalanche at lower elevations. If the sun comes out, we may also see natural loose snow avalanches at upper elevations as the new snow warms. These avalanches may be relatively small, but they can still have big consequences in terrain with trees, cliffs, rocks or gullies in runout zones. Pay attention to overhead terrain, and avoid travelling under steep sunny slopes if the clouds break.

    (5/1/2026)

    Snowing sideways in Portage yesterday afternoon. This was the scene across most of our forecast area yesterday.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    2.5–3.5

    We have been dealing with multiple layers of weak, faceted snow that have formed and been buried since early March. Riders at Turnagain Pass noted multiple avalanches triggered remotely on Wednesday afternoon, shortly before this last storm arrived. From what we have seen over the past month, the same issues likely exist in the Lost Lake area. These layers now have a significant amount of new weight added to them, and the likelihood of triggering a large avalanche has increased.

    This problem is difficult to assess, and the consequences are severe. This is one more reason to approach steep terrain with caution. After seeing multiple remote triggers, we know these avalanches can be triggered from flat terrain connected to steeper slopes. The most effective way to manage this problem is to avoid traveling on or below steep terrain.

Regioni coperte