Valdez

Forecast as of 11/06/2021 at 08:00 AM and expires on 11/07/2021

Above 3,000ftNone

1,500 to 3,000ftNone

Below 1,500ftNone

Degrees of Avalanche Danger

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme

Weather

Point forecast for Thompson Pass

 

This Afternoon
Snow likely. Widespread blowing snow. Cloudy, with a high near 16. Northeast wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Tonight
Snow. Areas of blowing snow. Low around 3. Northeast wind around 15 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Wednesday
Snow showers, mainly before noon. High near 9. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northeast in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around -1. North wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 10. Northeast wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around -8. Northeast wind 25 to 30 mph increasing to 30 to 35 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.
Friday
A 30 percent chance of snow after 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near -3.
Friday Night
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -9.
Saturday
A chance of snow before 9am, then a chance of snow after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 1.
Saturday Night
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -5.
Sunday
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 4.
Sunday Night
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -2.
Monday
Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 15.

 Detailed forecast for Thompson Pass (mid elevation 2000-4000′)

DATE             TUESDAY 11/30           WEDNESDAY 12/01         
TIME (LT)        06    12    18    00    06    12    18    00    06
CLOUD COVER      OV    OV    OV    OV    OV    BK    OV    OV    BK
CLOUD COVER (%) 100   100   100   100    80    55    90    85    65
TEMPERATURE      10    15    18    14     7     8     6     5     4
MAX/MIN TEMP                 17           5          10           0
WIND DIR         NE    NE     E     S    SE    NE    NE    NE    NE
WIND (MPH)       19    16    14    12    10     9    11    16    11
WIND GUST (MPH)  37                                  29          28
PRECIP PROB (%)  80    70    90    90    90    40    20    10    10
PRECIP TYPE       S     S     S     S     S     S     S     S      
12 HOUR QPF                0.31        0.20        0.12        0.02
12 HOUR SNOW                5.6         3.4         1.7         0.0
SNOW LEVEL (KFT)0.1   0.2   0.2   0.0   0.0   0.0   0.0   0.0   0.0

 

Snow and Temperature Measurements

 

Date: 11/30 24 hr snow  HN24W* High Temp Low Temp Weekly SWE (Monday- Sunday) December Snowfall Season Snowfall HS (Snowpack depth)
Valdez 0 0 10
Thompson Pass 1 .1 25
46 Mile 0 0  

12

All snowfall measurements are expressed in inches and temperature in Fahrenheit. 24 hour sample period is from 6am-6am. 

* 24 hour snow water equivalent/ SWE.

** Season total snowfall measurements for 46 mile began December 1st.

 

Season history graphs for Thompson Pass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on links below to see a clear and expanded view of above Season history graphs

 

TP WX as of 11/29

 

 

Additional Information

Winter weather began early this season, with valley locations receiving their first snowfall on the last day of Summer (September 21st).  Following this storm, above average temperatures and wet weather occurred from late September through early November.  During this time period Thompson Pass received 96 inches of  snowfall by November 7th and Valdez recorded 7.73″ of rain.  

After the 7th of November our region experienced a sharp weather pattern change.  Temperatures dropped below seasonal norms and snowfall became infrequent.  Between the time frame of November 7th- November 28th Thompson Pass only reported 19″ of snow with 1.1″ of Snow water equivalent (SWE).  Temperatures remained below 0° F for most of the period.   This cold/dry weather caused significant faceting of the snowpack, with poor structure present as of 11/30 in all three forecast zones.

 

Announcements

Recent cold weather has created faceted snow in the upper snowpack.  This is especially true in wind sheltered areas.  As snowfall returns to our region, expect for the avalanche hazard to increase.

Regular avalanche forecasts will begin on December 1st.  The public observation portion of the webpage is currently available to view and contribute

 

Click the + Full Forecast button below for a list of current avalanche problems, travel advice, weather resources and more.