We’re looking for your input! We’ve made some changes to the forecast this year, and we are curious to hear how well it has worked for everybody. Specifically, you may have noticed we started using a new icon, the Problem Rose, to illustrate where a given avalanche problem is most likely to be found. We
ECTP29? PST 45/100 end? CT13? What does it all mean? For some time now we’ve been wanting to create a ‘cheat sheet’ for those unfamiliar, or may want a little reminder, of what the jumble of letters and numbers mean in a lot of the snowpack observations we share. These are codes for snowpit test
The problem rose is a new addition to our forecasts this season. Many avalanche centers in the lower 48 have been using this tool for a while now, and we are going to try adding it to our toolbox. Our plan is to try using the rose this season, then reassess at the end of
As we head into late February, days are getting longer, snow coverage is high, and more people are going to start planning bigger days in the mountains. As evidenced by the avalanche activity this week, there is clearly some cause for concern in the snowpack, with the potential for large avalanches. Managing risk does not
Spring has made a dramatic appearance in Southcentral Alaska, which means we are in the midst of a transition from a winter snowpack to a warm and wet spring snowpack. Managing springtime avalanche problems can be tricky, with conditions often changing from stable to dangerous within a matter of hours. Some of the factors contributing