Seward & Southern Kenai Mtns

Active weather over the past week has kept much of the Seward area mountains in the clouds. Therefore, there is minimal information on recent avalanche activity. What we do know is a warm storm on Dec 10-11 brought snow and rain to Seward and just snow to elevations above 1,000′. Around 8″ of wet snow with periods of rain fell at sea level (2″ Water Equivalent) with an estimated 16-20″ of snow in the higher elevations. On Dec 14th a natural slab avalanche was reported on the west side of Mt Alice, seen from a distance.

Data from the Grouse Creek SNOTEL station (700′ in elevation) that is near the Mile Post 12 Divide AKDOT RWIS station on the Seward Highway.

This weekend it’s all about the weather. The more snow that falls, the more the avalanche danger will rise. If the storms slated for Friday and Saturday only produce 6″ or so, then it will be winds to watch out for. Even with low new snow amounts, the winds can build fresh wind slabs quickly. Steering clear of slopes steep enough to slide (30 degrees or more) that the winds have loaded with snow, will be a good bet to avoid a wind slab avalanche.

Areas out of the wind, for example in the trees, may also see some avalanche activity if over a foot of snow falls. These storm slab and loose snow types of avalanches may be small, but can be quite dangerous if they push us into a tree well or cover us up in a narrow creek bed. All things to watch out for in stormy weather.

NOTE that the rain/snow line is forecast to creep up to 1,000′ on Saturday, so wet snow conditions can be expected at the lower elevations.

Current Total Snowpack Depths as of noon Friday, Dec 15:
Grouse Creek at 700′: 34″
Cooper Lake at 1200′: 40″

As of this writing it’s midday on Friday, Dec 15, and the snow is just starting. The photo below is from the AKDOT RWIS camera at Mile Post 12 on the Seward Highway.