Cordova

Forecast Expired - 02/20/2019

Above 2,000ftConsiderable

1,000 to 2,000ftModerate

Below 1,000ftLow

Degrees of Avalanche Danger

Avalanche Problems

Problem 1

Storm Snow:

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Problem 2

Falling Cornice:

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Weather

After 10 days of dry weather, conditions have changed. Our snow pack has been shallow, with a trace at sea level, 2 feet at 1500 feet, and twice as much in the upper mountains. A breakable crust sits on loose dry snow at tree line and above. In the last 24 hours, we received an 1 inch of water. The freezing line started at sea level, and climbed to 1500 feet today. This probably translates into 5 to 10 inches of heavy new snow in the upper mountains, with moderate to strong wind loading western aspects.

Expect precipitation and the freezing level to decrease overnight, however, another similar wave of precipitation should quickly follow Monday. The avalanche hazard may increase then. Lack of snow at lower elevations should keep avalanches from affecting the highway. The weather looks to quiet down by Tuesday and pick up again Wednesday night.