Valdez
Above 3,000ftConsiderable
1,500 to 3,000ftModerate
Below 1,500ftModerate
Degrees of Avalanche Danger
Avalanche Problems
Problem 1
Significant SE-SW winds accompanied the last storm at high elevations. On 12/24 reactive wind loaded snow was found just below ridge lines. These wind loads were soft and up to 4 feet deep. As wind slabs settle they will become harder which will allow them to propagate longer distances, potentially creating bigger avalanches. Distribution of wind loads will vary depending upon terrain influence. Pay attention to the way new snow has shaped terrain features in the area you are traveling to form a picture of the way new snow has been redistributed. Watch out for top loaded and cross loaded terrain. Hard over soft snow at the surface is a great indicator of redistributed storm snow. Hand shear tests are a great way to quickly look for instabilities in the upper snowpack.
Winds are forecasted to switch directions to northeast today and be light-moderate. If winds are stronger than forecasted watch for freshly forming wind slabs and avoid areas that are receiving active wind loading.
Likelihood:
- Almost Certain
- Very Likely
- Likely
- Possible
- Unlikely
Size:
- Historic
- Very Large
- Large
- Small
Trend
- Increasing
- Steady
- Decreasing
Problem 2
Surface Hoar and near surface facets that formed during the benign weather of 12/8-12/14, are now buried by ~3-4 feet of snow. Human triggered avalanches may fail at this layer and create very large avalanches. These layers are deep enough now that signs of instability may not exist, digging snow pits may be the only way to evaluate the hazard. Avoid steep rocky terrain and be suspect of areas north of Thompson Pass below 3000′.
Likelihood:
- Almost Certain
- Very Likely
- Likely
- Possible
- Unlikely
Size:
- Historic
- Very Large
- Large
- Small
Trend
- Increasing
- Steady
- Decreasing
Avalanche Activity
12/23- DOT mitigation work on snow slide gulch produced 3 D2.5’s that ran half of their path.
-Multiple D2-D2.5 slides on Oddessey and Little Oddessey. NW-N aspects. Only Little Oddessey crown was clear. ~100 yards wide, ~4′ deep.
-Natural D3 avalanche on Billy Mitchell NW-N aspects, originated ~5000′ stepped down to the ground around 4200′ in rocky terrain. Approximately 200 yards wide.
-Natural D2 avalanche activity was also noted on west aspects of 40.5 mile and Iguana Backs ~3500′. Further observations were prevented due to poor light.
12/20- A powder cloud reached the highway at the mp 42 slide path. “Three Pigs”. No other details available
-Numerous small (3-4″ deep) natural avalanches were observed in the Python and Cracked Ice Buttress area.
12/20- Multiple D1 soft slabs off Mt Cheddar Cheese Wedge (Hippie Ridge) originating from ~6500′
12/3- Numerous natural avalanches were observed north of Thompson Pass with many avalanches failing at the ground. Observations were not made south of Thompson Pass.
Avalanches observed from 46 mile towards Thompson Pass:
Three Pigs: Nearly every path on the SE face ran with debris deposits stopping in the top 1/3 of aprons, thick alders prevented slides from running full path. These were mostly D3 avalanches.
40.5 Mile Peak: Many paths running similar to Three Pigs, with one running full path to the Tsaina river. Mainly W-NW aspects, D3’s
Max High (Peak on the southern extent of Hippie Ridge) had a D3 avalanche with a crown near 5500′,SW aspect.
Upper Catchers Mitt bowl E aspect, slid R4-D3 ,triggering further avalanches lower down.
The main activity noted, was on the buttresses on the east side of the pass, from Cracked Ice through North Odessey Gully. Every buttress had significant avalanche activity originating ~4000-5000′. Many of these failed at the ground, north – northwest aspect. Pictures below.
School Bus and North Odyssey Gully both ran with debris in the runouts.
Many other large to very large natural avalanches occurred.
12/2- DOT reported a natural D2.5-3 avalanche that hit the Lowe river at Snowslide Gulch.
11/30- Natural avalanche observed on 40.5 mile peak just to the South of the Shovel. West aspect, ~4500′, crown ~200′ wide, poor light prevented further observation. SS-N-R1-D2-U.
11/29: Natural avalanche observed on Billy Mitchell Cry babys shoulder, similar elevation as 11/16 slide but originated a couple hundred meters further west. Released from ~4000′ with a crown length of ~ 200 meters, North aspect, ~ 37°, failed at the ground. HS-N-R2-D2.5-G
11/16: Natural avalanche observed on Billy Mitchell “Cry babys shoulder”. Released from~3500′ with a crown length of ~200 meters, North aspect. This slide was triggered by recent NE wind cross loading the slope. SS-N-R2-D2-U
11/15: Natural avalanche observed in Loveland Basin on a South aspect, down the ridge from Tones Temple. This slide was triggered by recent NE wind loading and failed at the ground. SS-N-R1-D2-G
Weather
12/25- Sunny with light to moderate northeast wind.
The Thompson Pass Mountain Forecast covers the mountains (above 1000 ft) surrounding Keystone Canyon through Thompson Pass to Worthington Glacier. This forecast is for use in snow safety activities and emergency management. Today Tonight Temp at 1000` 29 F 22 F Temp at 3000` 21-28 F 22-30 F Chance of precip 0% 60% Precip amount (above 1000 FT) 0.00 in 0.06 in Snow amount (above 1000 FT) 0 in 0-1 in Snow level sea level sea level Wind 3000` ridges NE 10-30 mph NE 10-30 mph Remarks...A winter storm watch for blizzard conditions in Thompson Pass has been issued for Saturday morning into Saturday afternoon.
Date: 12/25 | 24 hr snow (inches) | HN24W (snow water equivalent inches) | High Temp (F) | Low Temp (F) | Weekly SWE Inches (Monday-Sunday) | December snowfall | Season snowfall | HS (snowpack depth inches) |
Valdez | Trace | ~ | 31 | 17 | 1.79 | 41 | 85 | 35 |
Thompson Pass | N/O | N/O | 25 | 23 | ~3.35 | 107 | 225 | 66 |
46 Mile | 0 | 0 | 32 | 9 | 2.12 | 42 | 71 | 31 |
Thompson Pass weather history 20/21. Click on links above the images to see full size view
Additional Information
12/21-12/23- Major winter storm brings strong winds, increasing temperatures and 36″ of snow and 3.35″ of SWE to Thompson Pass at road level.
12/19-12/20- Continued stormy weather incrementally deposits ~12 inches of low density snow. Top 3-4 inches doesn’t bond well to underlying snow and is reactive on 12/20 in multiple locations.
12/17-12/18- Significant north winds along with light snow has built wind slabs on lee aspects. These slabs may be sitting on persistent grains such as near surface facets in some locations.
12/13-12/16- Light snow has been falling and has landed on surface hoar below 3000′. This layer exists north and possibly south of Thompson Pass. On Thompson Pass proper, buried surface hoar is unlikely due to wind. So far there is an insignificant amount of snow to overload these layers and create dangerous conditions. This will be a layer to watch below 3000′ once more snow accumulates, possibly by this weekend. If you have observed surface hoar in the Port of Valdez area leave an observation.
12/8-12/12- Clear cold and calm was the theme during this period. With this, surface hoar has begun to form below 3000′. On 12/12 surface hoar was found to exist up to 1.5 cm in length on flat benches. On slopes the size was 2-4 mm. SH has not been observed in high elevation start zones. If conditions remain calm before the next snowfall this will form a sensitive layer in our snowpack in our low and mid elevation bands.
12/5-12/7- Thompson Pass received 23 inches of snow with 2.23″ of SWE. Temperatures and freezing line rose mid storm bringing rain to the coast.
NE winds began 12/4 and have redistributed the storm snow onto lee aspects. This wind event has not been widespread and appears to be concentrated to areas in close proximity to Thompson Pass.
November was mostly dominated by clear, cold and windy weather. On 11/25 a major wx pattern shift occurred which produced 8 days of consecutive storms that delivered 10 inches of water and 90″ of snow to Thompson Pass. This storm fell on a thin snowpack with poor structure near the ground. On 12/1-12/2 a widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred with many avalanches failing at the ground. This event was caused by 4.6″ of SWE on Thompson Pass in a 72 hour period along with rising temperatures bringing the freezing line up to 3000′.
Announcements
Merry Christmas! The avalanche hazard is Considerable at upper elevations and moderate at mid and low elevations. Human triggered avalanches are still likely up to 4 feet deep in upper elevation start zones just below ridge lines, or in cross loaded terrain. Fresh windslabs exist below ridge lines on west through northeast aspects, and were still reactive 12/24. Watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks or collapsing. Keep in mind that the snowpack is still adjusting to the recent snowfall. Don’t let sunshine and powder inhibit your ability to make good decisions. The avalanche hazard will be higher at mid elevations if northeast winds are stronger than forecasted.
For more information click the (+full forecast) button below.
Public observations are always important, but will be especially so after a major storm like the one we just had. Visit our observation page to leave a comment or you can email me direct at [email protected].