Summit & Central Kenai Mtns

Recent Avalanches: On Saturday, April 6, a large avalanche on Moose mountain’s northwest face was seen, likely releasing as a wind slab on April 5th. We also saw a few shallow slabs on Gilpatrick’s southeast face that may have released on April 9. Numerous small wet loose avalanches have been seen on steep south and east faces below rocks over the past week.

Weather Recap: Last weekend’s weather had partly sunny skies and spring like temperatures with highs in the 40s in the late afternoon. On Monday east winds increased to 40+ mph on ridgetops as a brief storm arrived on Tuesday bringing 2 to 5″ of new snow to Summit. Thursday into Friday also delivered another few inches of new snow accompanied by 30+ mph winds out of the south that decreased Friday afternoon averaging 0 to 10mph.

Weather Forecast: The lingering storm on Friday that brought around 4″ of snow to Summit is expected to move east over the weekend, making way for sunshine, lighter winds out of the west, and cooler temperatures. On Saturday, cloudy skies and valley clouds should begin breaking up allowing for pockets of sunshine in the afternoon. Winds out of the northwest should be light (0 to 10 mph) with 15 mph gusts on ridges and slightly cooler temperatures ranging from low 20s to low 30s. Expect similar conditions on Sunday with more sunshine, light winds from the northwest (0 to 10 mph) and temperatures ranging from 20s t0 low 30s F.

Partly sunny skies are forecast over the weekend which typically increases the chance of triggering wet loose avalanches on steep east, south, and west facing slopes. If temperatures are on the cooler side and there is a light breeze it may be less likely for a human to trigger one of these. On the flip side if the snow heats up it can become more likely if conditions feel warm and “spring like”. If you are overheating while skinning or snowmachining, chances are the snow is too. These can be large enough to push you into trees and possibly bury a person if they are carried into a terrain trap. Riding in the spring is all about timing. It is safer to ride steep sunny slopes in the morning and avoid them during the hottest part of the day (between 3 to 5 pm). You can also choose to ride north facing slopes that are shaded from the sun to avoid this issue.

Wind Slabs: There is a small chance that lingering winds slabs, up to 1′ deep could be triggered on steep, wind loaded slopes. If you are recreating in terrain such as gullies, below ridgelines, and underneath rollovers be on the lookout for wind slabs. Clues such as shooting cracks and traveling on firm snow over soft snow can indicate you are on a wind loaded slope.

Persistent Slab: There is still a small chance that one of several buried weak layers could trigger an avalanche up to 12″ deep. There have been a few small(ish) natural avalanches that likely failed on a weak layer over the past 2 weeks at mid elevations in Summit. Although we feel it is less likely for a human to trigger one of these, ride one at a time, use safe zones and have planned escape routes if you choose to ride steep terrain over the weekend. Hand pit tests can also provide information on snowpack stability in the upper snowpack. If we get a big warmup in the future, these may become more of an issue.

Old wet loose avalanches on Wilson Mtn’s south face. These likely released around April 6 when temperatures at the parking lot were in the 40’s. Photo 4.10.2024