The avalanche hazard is Considerable at all elevations. Human triggered avalanches are likely up to 2 feet in depth. Natural avalanches are possible. A prolonged period of incremental precipitation along with rising temperatures since the 25th has increased the likelihood of multiple avalanche problems. The likelihood and size of wet loose avalanches that could occur today is on the increase due to temperatures at low elevations remaining at or above freezing the last 4 days. At upper elevations new snow has formed upside down storm slabs and added stress to a weak layer in the upper snowpack increasing the likelihood of human triggered storm/ persistent avalanches. Avoid avalanche terrain that has become isothermal at low elevations and observe the depth and sensitivity of new snow at mid-upper elevations. Thanks to everyone that used and/or contributed to the avalanche forecast this season! This is the last public avalanche forecast of the season, although does not mark the end of avalanche season in the mountains. Avalanche hazard continues to exist in the Valdez- Thompson Pass region. Current conditions moving forward will likely differ form todays forecast.
Posted by Gareth Brown 04/30 6:00 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 through April 30th.
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.
The avalanche hazard is Considerable at all elevations. Human triggered avalanches are likely up to 2 feet in depth. Natural avalanches are possible. A prolonged period of incremental precipitation along with rising temperatures since the 25th has increased the likelihood of multiple avalanche problems. The likelihood and size of wet loose avalanches that could occur today is on the increase due to temperatures at low elevations remaining at or above freezing the last 4 days. At upper elevations new snow has formed upside down storm slabs and added stress to a weak layer in the upper snowpack increasing the likelihood of human triggered storm/ persistent avalanches. Avoid avalanche terrain that has become isothermal at low elevations and observe the depth and sensitivity of new snow at mid-upper elevations. Thanks to everyone that used and/or contributed to the avalanche forecast this season! This is the last public avalanche forecast of the season, although does not mark the end of avalanche season in the mountains. Avalanche hazard continues to exist in the Valdez- Thompson Pass region. Current conditions moving forward will likely differ form todays forecast.
Posted by Gareth Brown 04/30 6:00 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 through April 30th.
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.
The avalanche hazard is Considerable at all elevations. Human triggered avalanches are likely up to 2 feet in depth. Natural avalanches are possible. A prolonged period of incremental precipitation along with rising temperatures since the 25th has increased the likelihood of multiple avalanche problems. The likelihood and size of wet loose avalanches that could occur today is on the increase due to temperatures at low elevations remaining at or above freezing the last 4 days. At upper elevations new snow has formed upside down storm slabs and added stress to a weak layer in the upper snowpack increasing the likelihood of human triggered storm/ persistent avalanches. Avoid avalanche terrain that has become isothermal at low elevations and observe the depth and sensitivity of new snow at mid-upper elevations. Thanks to everyone that used and/or contributed to the avalanche forecast this season! This is the last public avalanche forecast of the season, although does not mark the end of avalanche season in the mountains. Avalanche hazard continues to exist in the Valdez- Thompson Pass region. Current conditions moving forward will likely differ form todays forecast.
Posted by Gareth Brown 04/30 6:00 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 through April 30th.
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.
The avalanche hazard is Considerable at all elevations. Human triggered avalanches are likely up to 2 feet in depth. Natural avalanches are possible. A prolonged period of incremental precipitation along with rising temperatures since the 25th has increased the likelihood of multiple avalanche problems. The likelihood and size of wet loose avalanches that could occur today is on the increase due to temperatures at low elevations remaining at or above freezing the last 4 days. At upper elevations new snow has formed upside down storm slabs and added stress to a weak layer in the upper snowpack increasing the likelihood of human triggered storm/ persistent avalanches. Avoid avalanche terrain that has become isothermal at low elevations and observe the depth and sensitivity of new snow at mid-upper elevations. Thanks to everyone that used and/or contributed to the avalanche forecast this season! This is the last public avalanche forecast of the season, although does not mark the end of avalanche season in the mountains. Avalanche hazard continues to exist in the Valdez- Thompson Pass region. Current conditions moving forward will likely differ form todays forecast.
Posted by Gareth Brown 04/30 6:00 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 through April 30th.
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.
MaritimeIntermountainContinental
Forecast Expired - 05/01/2023
Current Advisory Level
ConsiderableAbove 3,000ftConsiderable
1,500 to 3,000ftConsiderable
Below 1,500ftConsiderable
Forecast Expired - 05/01/2023
Current Advisory Level
ConsiderableAbove 4,000ftConsiderable
2,000 to 4,000ftConsiderable
Below 2,000ftConsiderable
Forecast Expired - 05/01/2023
Current Advisory Level
ConsiderableAbove 4,000ftConsiderable
2,000 to 4,000ftConsiderable
Below 2,000ftConsiderable
Valdez Avalanche Center
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.
Become a VAC member and submit local snow, weather and avalanche observations to win prizes. The more memberships and observations, the more chances to win!
Area Resources
- Northeast Prince William Sound NWS Weather Forecast
- Middleton Island Radar for Valdez area
- GOES Alaska water vapor satellite loop
- NOAA NWS Recreational spot forecast for Thompson Pass
- Thompson Pass MP 25.7 RWIS weather station 2740' (Mesowest)
- Valdez Marine Ferry Terminal weather station sea level
- Nicks Happy Valley above MP 30 weather station 4200' (scroll to Nicks Valley)
- Upper Tsaina River Snotel near MP 32 1750'
- Sugarloaf Snotel 551'
- Above Valdez Glacier Cryosphere program weather station 6600' <map here>
- Valdez Blueberry Weather Plot observations (scroll to bottom: Valdez City)
- More Mountain Weather resources for Alaska
- GFS 16 Day Model for Valdez
- Model Average Meteogram for Valdez
- Windty
Interactive Maps (Google Maps or Earth) with
Layers (Names & Resources) of our 3 Forecast Zones:
Maritime, Inter-Mountain and Continental
Other:
-
Smartphone app for Avalanche forecasts: Download either the iOS or Android version of the app for free<here> . Check out our community’s snow observations.
-
Looking for guidebooks?
-
Alaska Backcountry Skiing Valdez & Thompson Pass by Matt Kinney.
-
Chuting Valdez – Steep backcountry skiing in and around Valdez by Aaron Brown.
-
2022/2023 Staff & Volunteers

Gareth Brown
Lead Forecaster
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 in Girdwood with AAI.
Contact: [email protected] / 907-255-7690

Sarah Carter
Instructor and Director
Sarah loves a good travel novel, sweet powder turns, and standing on top of mountains! She looks forward to Sunday fun days with her two sons. She also teaches avalanche classes with the Alaska Avalanche Information Center, Prince William Sound College, and UAA.
Contact: [email protected]