Bollettino valanghe

Continental

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Pericolo valanghe

Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 2 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

The avalanche hazard is Moderate.  Human triggered avalanches are possible today 1-3 feet in depth.  North wind will be forming fresh wind slabs in specific locations.  Natural avalanches are unlikely.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Unlikely
    Dimensione
    2–2.5

    Numerous Glide Cracks exist on the North facing Buttressess of Nicks through Cracked Ice between 2000'-3000'.  Identify where these are if you decide to travel in this area and avoid traveling on or below them.  Glide cracks act differently than all the other avalanche problems and can fail even when the general hazard is low and without signs of instability.  Stability of Glide cracks has more to do with the relationship with the friction at the ground and less so to do with the weather that is effecting the surface like other avalanche problems.  Little is known about assessing glide cracks, so travel advice is simple: Avoid them.

    Numerous Glide Cracks on the Cracked Ice Buttress

    Photo: Kyle Sobek

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2.5

    North winds kicked up overnight with speeds in the mid 30's as of 5:30am.  A lot of dry snow is available for transport, which will effectively form fresh wind slabs in areas with the north wind.  Weather models indicate that this wind will be restricted to wind channeled terrain, such as areas close to Thompson Pass, so this problem is not expected to be widespread.  Nicks weather station did not show a significant jump in overnight wind, with speed still in the single digits with gusts to 12mph.  Pay attention to the amount of wind redistribution that has occurred.  This can be determined by looking for snow that is stiffer at the surface than what is below and a difference in the depth of surface snow.  In areas where stiffer snow is present at the surface human triggered avalanches will be possible 1-3 feet in depth, especially in convex and cross-loaded terrain.  Watch for signs of instability such as shooting cracks and collapsing that would indicate the presence of unstable snow.

    In addition to recently formed wind slabs, top heavy storm slabs have also formed in places where wind during the 12/15 storm was present.  These areas have had more time to settle and are expected to be less sensitive than anything recently formed, but human triggered avalanches remain possible in steep terrain.  These can be identified by upside-down surface snow as well and were formed by SE wind instead of NE.  For this reason, this problem has been labeled on the location chart as having the potential to exist on all aspects.

Avalanche Discussion

Want to learn more? Check out our new Weather History tab.  You can find this when you open up the full forecast on a tab just below the bottom line statement.

Avalanche Activity last 72 hours: None observed

Watch out today for freshly formed wind slabs as well as areas where storm wind created upside down storm slabs.  Areas where active snow transport has recently or is happening currently are the primary concern today.  Pay attention to slab character at the surface ( has the snow formed a cohesive layer?). Seek out areas that are sheltered from the current and recent wind, as these areas will not only provide better stability but also better riding quality.  

New snow from 12/15 has settled down to about 14 inches but remains uncohesive in wind protected areas.  The interface of the new/old varies depending upon elevation.  Below 3500' a rain crust that formed on 12/10 exists.  In these areas hand shear tests are becoming slightly more resistant, although an effective bed surface is in place.  Above 3500' the interface consists of old dry snow with better results on hand shears.

Continue to avoid Glide cracks in the area where they exist from Nick's Buttress through Cracked Ice at mid elevation.

If you travel in the Continental zone today, exercise extra caution as there is very limited field data from this location.  It is unclear as to whether deep slab instabilities exist, however it is a possibility.

If you get out in the mountains today consider leaving an observation to help increase the understanding of current snowpack stability.

Season Snowfall Data

Location 24 hour Snowfall Inches- 12/18 24 hour Snow Water Equivalent Inches Height of Snow December Snowfall Season Total Snowfall Valdez    0 N/O       Thompson Pass    0 N/O N/O    25    141 Nicks    0 N/O    41    22 N/O 46 Mile    0   N/O   14    4 N/O

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