Valdez

Forecast as of 02/03/2019 at 20:00 and expires on 02/08/2019

Above 3,000ftNone

1,500 to 3,000ftNone

Below 1,500ftNone

Degrees of Avalanche Danger

Avalanche Problems

Problem 1

Persistent Slab:

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Problem 2

Wind 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

On Jan 30th multiple remote triggered and natural avalanches were observed between Nicks (gulley 3) and RFS. Crown heights were up to 4 FEET, above 3000′ on north and south facing aspects. Reports continue to CONFIRM surface hoar was the weak layer, This layer is widespread and was buried on Jan 23.

On Jan 26th, a remotely triggered soft slab avalanche was triggered near the Tonsina Glacier, in Don valley. D2, 1-3′ crown, 500′ wide. There were also several natural D1 soft slab avalanches from Jan 25-26.

In the Tsaina valley numerous small wet loose avalanches ran on Jan 26th.

On Jan 26th multiple small wet loose avalanches were reported on steep south facing, low elevation terrain near Valdez.

On Jan 25th, a small natural soft slab was reported in very steep terrain low in Loveland Basin.

Please share your field observations including signs of stable snow HERE.

Weather

The most recent NWS rec Forecast can be found HERE:

417 AM AKST Sat Feb 2 2019
The Thompson Pass Mountain Forecast covers the mountains (above
1000 ft) surrounding Keystone Canyon through Thompson Pass to
Worthington Glacier.
Today        Tonight

Temp at 1000`      8 F          -5- 1 F

Temp at 3000`      11-17 F      20 F

Chance of precip   20%          40%

Precip amount
(above 1000 FT)    0.02 in      0.04 in

Snow amount
(above 1000 FT)    trace        trace

Snow level         sea level    sea level

Wind 3000` ridges  NE 6-23 mph  NE 3-20 mph

Additional Information

SNOWPACK BIG PICTURE: The older snowpack is quite stable (good strength and structure). Any new snow since Jan 23 is likely to be sitting on widespread surface hoar and is currently UNSTABLE. Above 3500′ there is up to 4′ of new slabs sitting on these this week layer.

Recent snowpack history, from top to bottom:

Jan 30-Feb 1: Natural avalanche cycle on all aspects above 3000′, up to size D2.5. Most ran on buried surface hoar.

Jan 28-30: 2″ SWE in Valdez, moderate winds, freezing level 1000′.

Jan 23-25: Multiple days of warm and wet with periods of rain up to 2500′.

Jan 13-22: Mostly clear and dry with light to moderate north winds. Widespread Surface Hoar growth and Near Surface Faceting.

Jan 12-13: 3-10″ of new snow with little wind.

Jan 4-12: was VERY cold and dry: moderate winds and wind chill reaching -50F. Pockets of surface hoar and widespread near surface faceting.

Dec 30-Jan 3: The New Year’s Eve storm brought nearly 2.5″ of SWE to Valdez and almost another 1″ (SWE) on the 2-3rd of January. The rain line was 1200′ during the Jan 2-3 storm, forming a 1-3″ crust locking up all the snow beneath it. These storms accumulated over 3′ above 2000′ near Thompson Pass. Both of these storms had little wind.

Above 4000′ the snowpack averages well over 300cm deep and has good strength and structure (few lemons). Below 4000′, the snowpack is significantly shallower and has old problem layers that are bonding well (rounding) and currently dormant: facet-crust combos and BASEL facets (all the way to sea level). 

 

If you get out riding, please send in an observation.

Do a rescue practice with your partners. Always carry a beacon, shovel, and probe, and KNOW HOW TO USE THEM. 

Practice good risk management, which means only expose one person at a time to slopes 30 degrees and steeper, make group communication and unanimous decision making a priority, and choose your terrain wisely: eliminating unnecessary exposure and planning out your safe zones and escape routes.

Alerts

 

The current hazard rating is CONSIDERABLE above 2000′. There is a buried weak layer that is producing large unpredictable avalanches.  More info is available by clicking FULL FORECAST below.

Please share your field observations HERE. 

Announcements

There is no current hazard rating for the Valdez region. The most recent rating was CONSIDERABLE above 2000′ because of a buried weak layer that is producing large unpredictable avalanches.  More info is available by clicking FULL FORECAST below to read Sunday’s forecast.

Please share your field observations HERE.Â