Chugach State Park

Recent Avalanches: Over the past week, we have had five observations in the Chugach State Park with one observation documenting small point release dry loose slides on all aspects.  We rely heavily on public observations. If anyone gets out this weekend, especially somewhere in a less traveled zone, like the North Fork of Ship Creek from this week, let us know what you are seeing out there. We always appreciate any information you all have to share.  Thank you!

Weather Recap: This week received less wind than what the typical winter weather trends have been for the Front Range this season. There was one wind event Tuesday to Thursday with sustained 15-25 mph winds from the north/northeast with gusts up to 40 mph.  The rest of the week had mostly light variable winds. As mentioned in the bottom line, the Front Range received 1″-5″ of new snow this week, a lot of which is still available for wind transport. Temperatures ranged from 6F to 45F with an average of around 20F.

The 1-5″ of new snow at the beginning of the week improved snow surface riding conditions, but underneath the new snow is still a predominately breakable wind layer.  Snow depth remains variable across the range from bare ground to up to 10′ of snow depth.  Moving forward, it is the time of year to start tracking surface conditions on southerly slopes as warm temperatures and solar radiation may start to form melt-freeze crusts.

Weather Forecast: This weekend is forecast to have mostly overcast skies. Temperatures are expected to range from mid-teens to high-twenties F. On Friday, winds are forecast to be light and variable with no new snow. However, starting on Saturday mid-morning, the winds are expected to pick up to sustained 15-25 mph winds with gusts up to 40 mph from the SE. As mentioned in the bottom line, 1-4″ of new snow is forecast to come in at the same time as the wind event. The wind and new snow event is expected to taper off by Monday morning.

Southern Aspect of O’Malley Ridge. Photo: Joe Kurtak 3.13.24

View of Ship Creek from Arctic Valley weather station. Photo: 3.14.24

Wind Slabs:   Wind slab avalanches are the main concern going into the weekend.  As mentioned in the bottom line, we still have 1-5″ of snow available for transport that can be picked up by the wind event this weekend in addition to the 1-4″ of forecast new snow coming in. The new wind slabs are expected to be small and will depend heavily on how much new snow comes in.  To identify areas with wind slabs, look for hollow snow on the surface. Carefully evaluate cross-loaded gullies, wind-loading off of ridges, and rollover features, and be on the lookout for shooting cracks. Using small test slopes can be a good way to check whether wind slabs are reactive to human triggers in the area you are traveling.

Wind-scoured Hunter Pass. Photo: 3.14.24

Persistent Slabs: On our field day on Thursday we noticed that some of the larger open-faced bowls at higher elevations on the eastern side of the South Fork of Eagle River appear to have more pronounced snowpack layering than what is seen in something like a Front Range wind-affected snow gully (Peak 3 for example). We were able to get some reactive snow test results (ECTP23) on the near-surface facet layer ~13″ down from the snow surface underneath a hard slab. Because the hard slab is so dense and able to disburse a human’s weight well, the likelihood of triggering that near surface facet layer below the slab is low. That being said, if you hit that layer in just the right spot at a thinner point in the slab, you have the potential to trigger an unmanageable avalanche. Furthermore, keep in mind that a stiffer hard slab like that can fail once you are farther out onto the slope or beneath a slope and can surprise you. Keep this on your radar when you are out this weekend.