Summit & Central Kenai Mtns

Recent Avalanches: Last week widespread loose dry avalanches released naturally sliding on the old snow surface. A wind slab avalanche was observed on Tributary Mtn on Jan. 30. No glide avalanches were reported but new glide cracks opened on Summit Mtn.

Weather Recap: Sunday through Monday a storm brought 8″ of light snow to Summit accompanied by ridgetop winds from the south with 30 mph gusts. For the rest of the week, clouds were replaced with clear skies, and cold temperatures averaging 6 to -27 F! On Wednesday and Thursday ridgetops winds from the northwest averaged 10mph with 40 mph gusts. Friday brought clear skies and moderate winds (10 to 15 mph).

Weather Forecast: A storm is forecast to bring up to 5″ of snow to Summit from Saturday evening into Sunday morning. Saturday morning should be cloudy with snow starting to fall around noon accompanied by east winds (0 to 10 mph) picking up in the afternoon with 15 mph gusts and temperatures ranging from -10 to 5 F. Overnight looks to have a few inches of snow followed by strong east winds gusting 20 to 30+ mph. On Sunday morning winds are expected to decrease (5 to 10 mph) coming out of the northwest with light flurries and clouds breaking up in the afternoon. Temperatures hopefully will be warmer (10 to 15 F).

A wind slab avalanche on the east face of Tributary Mtn likely releasing Jan. 29. Photo 1.30.2024

The approaching storm on Saturday is forecast to bring up to 5″ of new snow and strong east winds gusting 20 to 30+ mph later in the day through Sunday morning. In addition to the new snow we are expecting this weekend, we also received 8″ of snow earlier this week accompanied by strong northwest winds. These new wind slabs as well as the older wind slabs that formed earlier in the week will be sitting on a layer of weak faceted snow, making them more reactive and easier to trigger a little longer than a typical wind slab. Expect these winds to transport old and new snow into touchy wind slabs 1 to 2′ deep. Wind slabs can be found on the leeward side of wind affected features such as below ridgelines, convex rollovers, and in cross loaded gullies. Red flags such as natural avalanches, blowing snow, and shooting cracks indicate that you can trigger an avalanche. The safest option is to avoid steep wind loaded slopes and ride softer snow at lower elevations not affected by the wind until the snowpack has had time to settle.

Persistent Slabs: We are also keeping our eye on buried weak layers deeper in the snowpack. This includes faceted snow associated with the thanksgiving crust and facets at the ground in isolated areas at higher elevations. Although there have been no known avalanches failing on these layers, it is possible that in the future a slab from a larger storm could cause these layers to fail. For now, these layers are not likely to avalanche, but if you want to avoid this problem, enjoy lower angle terrain.

Northwest winds transporting snow on Spirit Walker. Photo 2.1.2024

Rippled texture from wind transporting snow into wind slabs on Butch Mtn. Photo 1.30.2024

Glide cracks continued to open last week in Summit. To complicate the issue these cracks are now covered by new snow, making it more difficult see where they are and avoid traveling under them. When making a travel plan if you are unsure where these now hidden glide cracks are, look back at past observation photos to indicate where some of these are located. As always avoid being under these glide cracks because they can be large and release spontaneously. If you do not have an alternate route, limit time under them, expose one person at a time, and move efficiently under them.

Glide avalanche covered in snow on the east face of Tributary Peak. Photo 1.30.2024