Bollettino valanghe

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
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In sintesi

The Avalanche Hazard is moderate at all elevations. Small human-triggered windslab avalanches less than a foot deep will remain possible in isolated areas. Larger avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer 2-3 feet deep will have a low likelihood but high consequences if triggered.  

Avalanche forecasts are issued Wednesday-Sunday at 8 am. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Winds have diminished, and so has the amount of snow available for transport. Windslabs created earlier this week are expected to be gaining strength, becoming unreactive in most areas.  More recently deposited wind slabs, and older windslabs that sit on top of weak faceted snow, will possibly be sensitive to human triggers today. Indications you could be in an area with reactive windslab include:  cracking /collapsing under foot or machine, and recent avalanche activity. 

    Wind slabs could step down to deeper layers in the snowpack, creating a larger, more dangerous avalanche. (See problem 2, Persistent Slab)

    (3/10/2026) Photo: Gareth Brown

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    We have been tracking and monitoring the 1/26 weak layer for nearly 2 months now. The sensitivity of this problem has fluctuated over this time, depending on stresses added to the upper snowpack. Currently, the sensitivity of this layer is in a steady state with no additional added stress expected for at least several days. The likelihood of triggering this layer is low, although the consequences of an avalanche would be high. 

    This layer is very hard to track with variable distribution and poor visibility in snow pits. Areas where this layer is a problem will lack signs of instability before an avalanche. Windloaded terrain that has deeply buried this layer will be the most likely locations where this hazard exists. Staying off large connected faces, spacing out, and riding one at a time are the best ways to mitigate the problem. Consider your risk vs reward when choosing to travel on or below large, steep alpine slopes. Conservative terrain selection is recommended to avoid this low likelihood but destructive problem that is hard to assess.

    HS-N-R2-D3-O

    Natural persistent slab avalanche on Averys/SW that failed at a PWL on 2/20 and ran full path ~3800'.

    Photo: Gareth Brown

  • Deep Persistent Slabs

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

    Weak snow near the ground is increasingly common as you move North through our forecast zones, with the Continental zone being the most concerning. Although it still remains unlikely to trigger this layer, areas that have been scoured from strong northeast winds now have a shallower snowpack, making this layer closer to the surface and potentially easier for a rider to trigger.

    This is a low-likelihood, high-consequence problem—especially in steep, rocky terrain and areas where the snowpack is thin or scoured. Triggering this layer directly is unlikely at this time, but avalanches that start in the upper snowpack could step down to the basal weak layer.  There is a high degree of uncertainty regarding the poor structure at the base of the snowpack.  What we can be sure about is that this layer is less of a concern in the Maritime zone and more of a concern as you move towards the Continental zone where the snowpack is thinner and the weak layer is more developed. 

    Watch for thin spots near rock outcrops, scoured features, and along ridge tops. Wind loading adds stress to these shallow areas, and we don’t know where the tipping point is.

    (2/25/2026)

    Deep slab natural avalanche on The Wall / north/~5800'.  Failed sometime in mid February

    Photo: Jed Workman

Avalanche Discussion

Avalanche activity in the last 72 hours:  3/9- D2 skier triggered avalanche on the south side of Meteorite-  W/SW- ~6000' - ASc-R2-D2

Forecast Discussion

Relatively benign weather conditions will prevail for the next week or so. We may see a few snowflakes this weekend, but nothing that would affect stability.  Persistent weak layers in our snowpack will be under low amounts of stress, but the long period of relatively clear weather may cause weakening of the snowpack, especially where there is thin coverage.  These layers appear to be in a period of relative dormancy for now, but ever-changing conditions could increase sensitivity in the future. Although there may not be much evidence of instability over the next several days, we are still concerned about the snowpack structure in many areas. The long-duration persistent/deep persistent problem, combined with a low snow year, has made for an atypical spring season in Valdez.  These layers appear to be in a period of relative dormancy for now, but ever-changing conditions could increase sensitivity in the future. You can expect to hear more about our ongoing persistent weak layer problem as the situation continues to develop. 

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

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