Valdez

Forecast Expired - 01/08/2021

Above 4,000ftModerate

2,000 to 4,000ftModerate

Below 2,000ftModerate

Degrees of Avalanche Danger

Avalanche Problems

Problem 1

Persistent Slab:

Surface Hoar was buried 1/3 by 6-18 inches of snow with another moderate round of snow falling on 1/6 depositing 5 inches in town and at 46 mile.  This gradual loading of a weak layer can be a dangerous situation for a number of reasons.  First off it can be difficult to determine how much of a load will it take for this layer to become reactive.  Secondly it will be possible to experience good stability were this layer doesn’t exist, although it may exist with a change of aspect, elevation or location and be reactive.  Both of these can make snowpack assessment difficult and can catch even experienced users off guard.  

The distribution of this layer will be important in the coming days/weeks.  The mid elevation band (2000-4000′) north of Thompson Pass is where this layer is the most prominent, but has been reported in the Port of Valdez up to brush line as well.  Gullies and shaded/protected terrain will also likely harbor buried surface hoar.  Most reports from 12/31-1/2 indicated that SH went away in upper elevation start zones, but may exist in some locations up to ridge lines.

 

Public observations will be important in the coming days.

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Problem 2

Wind Slab:

Winds have been blowing from multiple direction the last 72 hours.  Northeast ridge top winds were strong the evening of 1/5.  Low density snow that existed that day, was easily redistributed to the lee side of ridge lines up to 2 feet deep where wind was present. Moderate SE wind accompanied moderate snowfall 1/6. Light to moderate northeast wind will return 1/7 and will gradually turn to the east.  Bottom line is that winds have loaded multiple aspects and have created deeper more cohesive slabs in specific locations.  Wind slabs may stay reactive longer than usual in places where they were deposited on persistent grains (facets).  Avoid wind loaded slopes (pillowed) and watch for signs of instability like shooting cracks.

 

 

 

 

 

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Avalanche Activity

12/24- Observers reported remote triggered avalanches up to 100 meters away that were a meter deep.  Tsaina trees below 3000′.

12/23- DOT mitigation work on snow slide gulch produced 3 D2.5’s that ran half of their path.

– HS-N-R3-D3-G, NW Crudbusters/ ~5000′

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-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

01/07-  Another low pressure system approaches our area with the potential for upper level support this evening that may cause heavy snowfall this evening into tomorrow morning.

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`      31 F         30 F

Temp at 3000`      29 F         25-31 F

Chance of precip   70%          100%

Precip amount
(above 1000 FT)    0.11 in      0.45 in

Snow amount
(above 1000 FT)    1-2 in       3-6 in

Snow level         sea level    500 ft

Wind 3000` ridges  NE 11-20 mph E 14-22 mph

Remarks...None.
Date: 01/07 24 hr snow (inches) HN24W (snow water equivalent inches) High Temp (F) Low Temp (F) Weekly SWE Inches (Monday-Sunday) January snowfall Season snowfall HS (snowpack depth inches)
Valdez 5 .37 30 16 1.27 19 117 53
Thompson Pass N/O N/O 28 10 ? ? ~258 ~66
46 Mile 5 .5 13 3 .74 8 82 36

Thompson Pass weather history 20/21.  Click on links above the images to see full size view

 

November 2020

TP DEC 2020

TP as of 1/3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Information

Our season began with a cold, dry and windy November which promoted faceting in the thin snowpack that existed.  Only 28 inches of snow were recorded at Thompson Pass from 11/1 through 11/24.  

November 25 began a series of storms that deposited 90” of snow and 11.1” of SWE on Thompson Pass at road level in an 8 day period.  At the tail end of these storms the pass received 25” of snow and 3.7” of SWE in 48 hours, along with rising temps that pushed freezing line up to 3000’.  This sparked a widespread natural avalanche cycle that failed on faceted snow created in early November. Many of these slides failed at the ground.  See avalanche activity section for pictures of the cycle.

December continued with fairly regular snow fall and a couple periods of stable (dry) weather, with snowfall totaling 120 inches on Thompson Pass.    Another, smaller natural avalanche cycle occurred on the 12/22 after Thompson Pass received 44 inches of snow with 4” of SWE in a 4 day period.  Two full-depth naturals occurred in the Continental region on NW-N aspects between 4500-5000’ on NW Crudbusters and Billy Mitchell.  Various other soft slab D2’s occurred in other regions as well. This indicated that depth hoar is still a concern in the Continental region but is becoming less so in our Maritime and Intermountain regions.  Incremental snowfall during the second half of December has allowed the snowpack to slowly gain depth and strength.

Cold, stable weather at the end of December created widespread areas of surface hoar up to 1 cm in height, observed on all aspects between 2000-4000’ and up to ridge lines in isolated locations.  This layer was more concentrated on the north side of Thompson Pass, promoted by colder temperatures and an ice fog layer that was forming during this time frame.  However, this surface hoar has been reported in the Port of Valdez up to brush line.

A small storm has recently buried this layer and it has become preserved in some locations.  As snow continues to accumulate through this month it will be important to pay attention to the depth and distribution of the 1/3 Buried Surface Hoar layer.

Snowpack structure generally becomes thinner and weaker as you move North from Thompson Pass

 

Photos of Surface Hoar taken 1/1 on Crudbusters at 3500′ north aspect.

 

Announcements

The avalanche hazard is moderate at all elevations. Our area received another moderate round of snow the night of 1/6 which has further buried the 1/3 buried surface hoar layer in specific locations.  This will make it possible for a skier or snowmachine to trigger an avalanche that is 12-18 inches deep.  This hazard will be increasing through the week as additional snowfall will continue to stress faceted snow in our upper snowpack.  Watch for areas of wind load that would make slabs deeper, more cohesive and in turn more sensitive to human triggers.  Avoid steep convex terrain, wind loaded slopes and terrain traps.

For more information click the (+full forecast) button below.

Submit a public observation to help create a picture of our constantly changing snowpack.  Visit our observation page to leave a comment or you can email me directly at [email protected].