Bollettino valanghe

Continental

Valdez Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

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

The avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE above 2000 feet and moderate below.   Strong north winds will redeposit 4-5 feet of fresh snow today making human triggered avalanches likely 1-5+ feet in depth.  Natural avalanches are possible.

Public avalanche forecasts are issued Wednesday- Sunday at 8 am

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Northeast winds are forecasted to be on the increase today through Thursday with gusts into the 60's.  As of 6 am winds were still light on Thompson Pass and had just switched from Southerly to Northeast. Last weekend's storm has left us with an abundant amount of snow available for transport.  The combination of strong winds and copious amounts of dry snow on the ground will allow for deep wind slabs to form.  These are expected to be sensitive to human and machine triggers, with the depth depending upon the terrain shape, the strength of the wind, and the duration of time the wind has been blowing.  

    Light snowfall that occurred overnight has just ended and may still be going in some places.  The snowpack has not had time to adjust to its new load of 4-5 feet of snow that fell over the weekend, and an increase in wind will continue to add stress to the snowpack.  Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected to exist today.  Conservative terrain choices are recommended.  

Avalanche Discussion

Observed Avalanche Activity last 72 hours: 

Limited observations from the past several days due to low visibility. 

A D3 natural avalanche on Town Mountain deposited debris on the bench just above the crooked creek cabin.

Forecast Discussion:

There is a lot of uncertainty with the snowpack as to how much the new snow from this weekend has settled and bonded with the underlying snowpack.  What we can be certain about, is that there is a significant amount of loose snow available for transport.  With North winds forecasted to increase significantly today, actively forming wind slabs will be the primary concern.  These will be found first on the lee side of high elevation ridges and terrain that is close to the Thompson Pass summit.  As winds increase in strength and distribution expect wind slab formation to also increase in distribution across our forecast area.  

In areas that remain protected from the wind, caution is still advised with careful terrain progression being a prudent strategy.  This involves starting on smaller slopes with lower consequences to gain information about how well the new snow has bonded and its structure.  If positive results are received, then it would be reasonable to slowly stair-step into larger terrain.  This process can take several days and users should have their senses open to signs of instability that would suggest a pause or backward step.

Below 2000' the hazard will be lower as rain mixed with snow during last weekends storm.  This has limited the snow available for transport and the liquid water that existed in the snowpack is in the process of freezing and gaining strength as temperatures are currently plummeting.

Additional Information:

In addition to avalanche hazard, very cold air temps along with strong winds will create dangerous wind chill values.  Be prepared with the proper gear as -50° F wind chills are expected by tomorrow.

A weather and snowpack season history is available by clicking on the Season Summary tab which is located above the bottom line statement once you have entered the full forecast.

Season Snowfall Data

Location 24 hour Snowfall Inches- 1/29 24 hour Snow Water Equivalent Inches Height of Snow January Snowfall Inches Season Total Snowfall Valdez    3    N/O    30           Thompson Pass    N/O    N/O   N/O    300+    ~500 Nicks    0    N/O    173    N/O N/O 46 Mile    1     N/O   22    13 N/O

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