Valdez

Forecast Expired - 01/27/2023

Above 4,000ftConsiderable

2,000 to 4,000ftConsiderable

Below 2,000ftConsiderable

Degrees of Avalanche Danger

Avalanche Problems

Problem 1

Storm Snow:

Over the last 72 hours heavy snow has been falling above 2500′ with rain and mixed precipitation occurring below.  At upper elevations dense storm slabs exist 1 1/2-3 feet deep.  New snow is putting stress on a buried weak layer in our upper snowpack (see problem 2) creating a more dangerous setup than just a storm slab problem.  Recent new snow is heavier than the underlying snow creating an upside down (unstable) snowpack at the surface.  New snow will need time to bond with the snowpack.  In the meantime, human triggered avalanches 1-3 feet in depth will be likely on slopes steeper than 32°.  Convex and wind loaded terrain will be the most sensitive areas.

 

Stability will usually increases for heavy storm slabs once temperatures fall and moisture starts to be drawn out of the snowpack.  This is not expected to occur anytime soon.  A persistent weak layer exists as well as unusual weather is forecasted for the weekend that will bring sunny skies and above freezing temperatures at upper elevations (up to 5000′).  

 

  Below 2500′ human triggered wet loose avalanches will remain likely until temperatures fall below the freezing mark.  On 1/25  16 inches of new snow was found to be very wet (saturated).  Above 2500′ new snow was moist and showed easy failure at the new/old interface in stability tests.

 

 

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Problem 2

Persistent Slab:

The amount of new snow we have received along with above freezing temperatures below 2500′, is enough to elevate the avalanche hazard on its own.  When you involve a buried persistent weak layer like we currently have, our upper snowpack becomes significantly more dangerous.  The 24 hour rule does not apply to our current setup.  Human triggered avalanches remain likely 1-3 feet in depth.

 

At this point it is unclear as to where the 1/14 buried surface hoar layer will remain a problem.  On 1/25 it was identified 2 feet deep at 3000′, but was not found to be reactive in both ECTs and PSTs.  At this location rounding was occurring and it was mixed with other rounded grains as it is being absorbed into the snow below.  It is possible that the saturated storm snow below 2500′ has removed this problem at low elevations and in the Maritime climate zone.  Above 2500′  it is very possible that this persistent weak layer remains reactive.  It will be important to try to identify this layer and test its sensitivity in areas that you choose to travel. This is best done through digging snowpits,  although confusing or misleading results can occur.  Conservative terrain choices are advised moving forward.

 

 

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Problem 3

Deep Slab:

Weak snow exists near the base of our snowpack in all three climate zones.  The weather we are currently experiencing is putting these weak layers to the test and the likelihood of natural or human triggered avalanches has gone from unlikely to possible.  It is unclear how much weight (rain or new snow) these layers can accept before failing.  Realize if these layers do reach the tipping point very large avalanches would be the outcome.  Significant weather that we are currently experiencing is when deep avalanches generally occur.  The best mitigation technique, is avoidance of large avalanche terrain while a test of the snowpack is underway.

 

Rounding facets near the base of our snowpack from Cracked Ice at 4000′ on 1/11.

 

Likelihood:

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

Size:

  • Historic
  • Very Large
  • Large
  • Small

Trend

  • Increasing
  • Steady
  • Decreasing

Avalanche Activity

Below is a summary of observed Avalanche activity from the last 7 days.  Avalanches that were noted earlier in the season can be viewed by clicking the link below.

If you trigger or observe a natural avalanche consider leaving a  public observation.

Valdez Avalanche Activity

1/21- Several D2 natural avalanches were observed on wind loaded slopes that failed at the 1/14 BSH interface.  These probably occurred on 1/19. Avalanches were observed on Hippie Ridge South aspect, RFS Northwest aspect, Cracked Ice  Northwest aspect and Python (Cherry couloir) East aspect.  These all appeared to be 1-2 feet deep.

1/20- Numerous large (D2) wet loose avalanches released from steep planar slopes in the Port of Valdez.  These were caused by a foot or more of snow falling with temperatures rising to 40° F at sea level directly following.  No step downs noted.

 

1/17- Numerous wet loose point release were observed on solar aspects in the Port of Valdez.  Most of these originated from rocks were the suns energy permeated into dry snow and caused surface snow to become upside down.  No step down slab avalanches were observed.

 

-Small (D1) spin drift avalanches on the lee side of Tones Temple ridge triggered a small slab at the 1/14 BSH layer.

 

Weather

Check out our updated weather tab!  A collection of local weather stations are available for viewing with graphs and tabular data included.

NWS Watches and warnings

NONE
NWS Point forecast for Thompson Pass
Today
Snow showers likely, mainly before noon. Patchy freezing fog. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tonight
Isolated snow showers before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 22. North wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Friday Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 13. North wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 15. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.

 

Detailed forecast for Thompson Pass Mid elevation (2000-4000 Feet)
Date               Thursday 01/26/23       Friday 01/27/23         
Time (LT)          06    12    18    00    06    12    18    00    06
Cloud Cover        OV    OV    BK    SC    FW    FW    FW    SC    SC
Cloud Cover (%)    75    80    65    45    20    15    20    50    35
Temperature        27    28    25    16    15    18    17    17    19
Max/Min Temp                   29          14          23          14
Wind Dir            S    SW     S     N    NE    NE    NE    NE     N
Wind (mph)         14    16     5     3     8    16    16     8     2
Wind Gust (mph)          28                20    27    27    20      
Precip Prob (%)    70    50    20     0     0     0     0     5     5
Precip Type         S     S     S                                    
12 Hour QPF                  0.12        0.01        0.00        0.00
12 Hour Snow                  0.8         0.0         0.0         0.0
Snow Level (kft)  1.4   1.2   0.3   0.2   0.1   0.0   0.1   0.3   0.3
Click on link below for Thompson Pass weather history graph:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vR_Fl5087NrNCo2BtsSaum-gxrx1QioHSO4YqEmjW76LhuDu9ZsSxbBCTl6zkYIFarys-5eM_7P5GpV/pubhtml

 

 

 

Date:

01/26

24 hr snow HN24W* High temp Low temp 72 hour SWE* January snowfall Seasonal snowfall Snowpack Depth
Valdez 0 .65 38 32 2.16 39 136 47
Thompson pass  7 N/O 32 27 N/O 92 286 50
46 mile 0 0 42 32 N/O 32 ~66** 40

 

 

*HN24W- 24 hour Snow water equivalent in inches

*SWESnow water equivalent

**46 mile seasonal snowfall total begins December 1st.

Additional Information

 

Click on the link below for a running summary of the seasons weather history.

Valdez Weather History

Announcements

The avalanche hazard is Considerable at all elevations.  Human triggered storm slab avalanches 1-3 feet in depth are likely above 2500′.  Below 2500′ human triggered wet loose avalanches are likely.  Natural avalanches remain possible.

Posted by Gareth Brown 01/26  8:00 am.

 

For a description of current avalanche problems, weather information, season history and more click the (+ full forecast) button.  Avalanche forecasts will be issued Wednesday-Sunday.

If you have pictures of recent natural or human triggered avalanches or notice signs of instability such as shooting cracks or collapsing, leave an observation to help improve forecast accuracy.