The avalanche hazard is Moderate at mid and upper elevations. Human triggered avalanches are still possible on recently wind loaded slopes. Wind slab often has a hollow drum like feel. Collapsing, shooting cracks and active wind loading are all signs that a slope still has the energy to produce an avalanche. Avoid large slopes above 35°, unsupported terrain and areas that are experiencing active wind loading.
The avalanche hazard is Moderate at mid and upper elevations. Human triggered avalanches are still possible on recently wind loaded slopes. Wind slab often has a hollow drum like feel. Collapsing, shooting cracks and active wind loading are all signs that a slope still has the energy to produce an avalanche. Avoid large slopes above 35°, unsupported terrain and areas that are experiencing active wind loading.
The avalanche hazard is Moderate at mid and upper elevations. Human triggered avalanches are still possible on recently wind loaded slopes. Wind slab often has a hollow drum like feel. Collapsing, shooting cracks and active wind loading are all signs that a slope still has the energy to produce an avalanche. Avoid large slopes above 35°, unsupported terrain and areas that are experiencing active wind loading.
The avalanche hazard is Moderate at mid and upper elevations. Human triggered avalanches are still possible on recently wind loaded slopes. Wind slab often has a hollow drum like feel. Collapsing, shooting cracks and active wind loading are all signs that a slope still has the energy to produce an avalanche. Avoid large slopes above 35°, unsupported terrain and areas that are experiencing active wind loading.
Current Advisory Level
ModerateAbove 4,000ftModerate
2,000 to 4,000ftModerate
Below 2,000ftLow
Current Advisory Level
ModerateAbove 4,000ftModerate
2,000 to 4,000ftModerate
Below 2,000ftLow
Current Advisory Level
ModerateAbove 4,000ftModerate
2,000 to 4,000ftModerate
Below 2,000ftLow
Forecast Center Observation
| Date | 2020-01-16 |
| Location | Valdez |
| Observer | Gareth Brown |
| Avalanche | N |
General Observations
1/16: Dimond up to 3100', 5° F at the road, -10° F at 3100'. Clear, no precip, moderate- strong east wind above 2500', light- moderate snow transport. Localized collapsing, Small shooting cracks around skis, not radiating, no new avalanches.Above 2000' found a variety of wind affected snow that ranged from snow stripped down to rain crust, 1…
| Date | 2020-01-11 |
| Location | Valdez |
| Observer | Gareth Brown |
| Avalanche | N |
General Observations
1/11: Allison Creek up to 2000', NW aspect, 5° F at the road to 0° F at 2000', light wind, no snow transport. Large collapses experienced that propagated up to 100 meters, Shooting cracks that radiated up to 30' long through pencil hard wind slabs, No new avalanches. Observed an old avalanche with unknown trigger, R2-D2- ~150M wide.Snow surface consisted of a…
| Date | 2020-01-07 |
| Location | Valdez |
| Observer | Gareth Brown |
| Avalanche | N |
General Observations
1/7- Crudbuster up to 4900'. 0° F at road, Partly cloudy, calm, no precip. No collapsing, No shooting cracks and No avalanches. In a pit at 4000', north aspect, 20° slope, found significantly better structure in the snowpack than at 3000'. Rain crust from 12/9 was not present. Height of snowpack was 200cms. Although the snow 4000'…
Support the education and sharing of avalanche information for mountains surrounding the Port of Valdez to Milepost 65 on the Richardson Highway. Our membership keeps the mission going. Join as a Valdez Avalanche Center member today, or donate directly.
The Valdez Avalanche Center has been providing safety information in the Chugach Mountains surrounding Valdez since 2006. It began as a radio interview discussing snow and avalanche conditions. Locals asked for information they could make plans with. Forecasts are currently issued Friday through Sunday with special alerts for significant weather or avalanche events. Information contained in the forecasts is intended to be used as a tool in conjunction with your personal backcountry hazard evaluation.
Public observations are encouraged and aid the accuracy of the avalanche forecasts in our data-sparse region.
2019/2020 Staff & Volunteers
Forecaster: Gareth Brown
Gareth grew up backcountry skiing in Colorado. He moved to Valdez, AK in 2010 and currently resides in Serendipity, AK, on the north side of Thompson Pass. Gareth has spent the last 10 seasons exploring the Chugach by splitboard. He completed his Pro 2 avalanche certification last year in Girdwood with AAI.
gbrown@alaskasnow.org 907-255-7690
Sean Wisner: Rescue Coordinator
Ben Stolen: Observer
Gareth Brown: Observer
Josh McDonald: Observer
Dr. John Cullen, M.D.: Advisory Board Member and Medical Advisor
Rich Loftin: Advisory Board Member
Erica Shirk: Advisory Board Member
DB Palmer: Advisory Board Member
Interns:
2016 Josh Hege & Bobby Lieberman
2015-2016 Kyle Sobek
2014 Kevin Salys
2014 Monica Morin
2013 Dusty Reed
2012 Katreen Wikstroem
2011 Sam Benoit
2010-2012 Ethan Davis
2009 Jordan Pond
2009 Brad Deringer
2008 Elise Leahy
Sponsors
Thanks to all our members and community supporters!
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