Valdez

Forecast Expired - 12/16/2019

Above 4,000ftModerate

2,000 to 4,000ftModerate

Below 2,000ftLow

Degrees of Avalanche Danger

Avalanche Problems

Problem 1

Wind Slab:

Likelihood:

  • Almost Certain
  • Very Likely
  • Likely
  • Possible
  • Unlikely

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Problem 2

Persistent Slab:

Likelihood:

  • Almost Certain
  • Very Likely
  • Likely
  • Possible
  • Unlikely

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Problem 3

Glide Avalanches:

Likelihood:

  • Almost Certain
  • Very Likely
  • Likely
  • Possible
  • Unlikely

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Avalanche Activity

 12/8-  An observer witnessed a glide crack avalanche.  SW aspect of peak 4690′ above the Valdez Glacier Lake. The debris reportedly ran all the way to the lake, with the deposition pile only feet away from a well used cross country ski trail.

Weather

An additional 3-4″ of snow fell the morning of the 14th.   Skies cleared in the evening hours and E/ SE winds kicked up to moderate with small drifts forming on Thompson Pass in the evening.

12/15- Expect partly cloudy skies with highs in the upper 20’s for Thompson Pass.  Winds will be moderate out of the north.  

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`      32 F         24 F

Temp at 3000`      29 F         21-29 F

Chance of precip   30%          60%

Precip amount
(above 1000 FT)    0.03 in      0.04 in

Snow amount
(above 1000 FT)    trace        0-1 in

Snow level         500 ft       sea level

Wind 3000` ridges  NE 8-20 mph  NE 10-20 mph
  24h snowfall (inches) HN24W (inches)* Hi Temp (F) Low Temp (F) Dec snowfall Season Snowfall
Valdez 7 31
46 mile Trace 0 21 16

Nicks snotel

(4500′)

4 28 23

 HN24W= total water received last 24 hours in inches

Additional Information

We have received 4″ of snow over the last 36 hours.  Winds ramped up slightly yesterday evening from the E/SE eventually turning to the North.  Expect this wind to have redistributed new snow into fresh windslab.  If you are traveling on a ridge that is scoured down to old crust today,  expect that the lee side has fresh windslab 6-12″ deep that could be sensitive to triggers.  The avalanche hazard is moderate today in the mid and upper elevations.  It is possible to trigger windslab avalanches up to 1′ deep.  It is also possible that small avalanches could step down into deeper layers of the snowpack.  Avoid convex, unsupported terrain and terrain traps

If you venture into avalanche terrain today, use terrain progression as a tool.  Start with small slopes that have no consequence, before committing to larger slopes.

If you have traveled in the mountains, please leave a public observation.  The more info we can get from various locations will help us to get a clearer picture of the snowpack in our beautiful Valdez Chugach! 

Forecast Confidence is moderate.

Announcements

The avalanche hazard is moderate at mid and upper elevations.  Human triggered  avalanches are possible on  steep terrain, or in areas that have been loaded by winds. Good indicators for windslab are a rapid increase in depth of the new snow over a short distance, and a hollow, drum-like feel.  Shooting cracks will indicate unstable snow.  Use caution in the mountains today, avoid areas that are receiving active wind loading and avoid terrain traps.