Avalanche danger high throughout Chugach

It’s a good day to stay out of the high country.  And the low country too in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche warnings remain very high throughout the Chugach National Forest at all elevations, per warnings from the Alaska Avalache Center.  Five days of rain atop a winter of heavy snows is creating and setting up future avalanches that can trap snowmachiners, skiiers and travelers throughout the region.

“Today marks one week of elevated avalanche danger due to continuous stormy weather following a cold and dry March.,” per the Center advisory. ” A fast moving warm front will impact Southcentral, Alaska this morning, causing Easterly ridgetop winds to build into the 40’s (mph) with gusts in the 60’s (mph). Up to 6 inches of snow is forecasted to fall above 2000’; this is .45” of rain at lower elevations. Natural wind slab avalanches up to 1-2’ thick are likely today in the alpine due to blowing snow overloading steep slopes.This is on top of 2-4′ of snow that has incrementally fallen accross our region over the last week. These storm related wind slabs have the potential to step down to an older layer in the snowpack, and run further than expected.

“Avoiding all avalanche terrain, slopes steeper than 30 degrees, is the only way to manage this problem today. This includes giving run out zone plenty of space, and avoiding trails like Johnson Pass and Lynx Creek, where an avalanche could cross the trail.”

Reminder that even if snow machine trails are open to riding, that does not mean that there is not still avalanche danger.

Stay current on travel updates at the Alaska Avalance Center: http://www.cnfaic.org/advisories/current.php