The current break in stormy weather should continue through most of today’s daylight hours. Partly cloudy skies with light and variable winds are forecast until around sunset when winds look to pick up from the east and light snow begins to fall. Until this next round of weather increases the avalanche danger, we should be on the lookout for older wind slabs that have not completely bonded from Saturday’s strong east winds. Most of these lingering slabs are likely to be in the Alpine zones, above 2,500′, and in the 1-2′ thick range. However, it’s still good to watch for any exposed area in the trees, or steep cross-loaded gullies below 2,500′ that may have a lingering slab or two.
For anyone headed out today, pay close attention to the snow surface and any visible clues of prior wind effect (scouring and/or loading). This might be more difficult in Girdwood Valley where a couple inches of light snow fell yesterday afternoon, obscuring older wind patterns. Be suspect of any wind loaded steeper slope. Feel for stiffer snow over softer snow and any cracking in the snow around you. Older wind slabs could be quite stubborn and show no signs of instability, but we still should be on our toes in case one does release.
On the south end of Turnagain Pass and toward Summit Lake, where the snowpack is thinner, older wind slabs could be sitting on weaker snow associated with buried crusts. We are still keeping track of these deeper layers despite the unlikely chance someone could trigger an avalanche that steps down to them. In this case, a much larger and dangerous avalanche could result, which is something to keep in mind if headed into the less traveled and larger terrain.
Cornices: These have been growing steadily with the active weather pattern over the past couple weeks. Giving cornices an extra wide berth is always a good idea.
Glide cracks: Say it isn’t so….glide cracks are opening… There are a few on the back side of Seattle Ridge and this one pictured below from the front side. Unfortunately, this glide crack is sitting above and just to the looker’s left of the common motorized up-track. As always, limit time under these cracks, they are completely unpredictable as to when and if they decide to release.
Glide crack on Seattle Ridge’s Repeat Offender slide path that overhangs the common motorized up-track. Photo Andy Moderow, 2.6.22.
Avalanche danger is slated to rise tonight into tomorrow with this next weather system. Ridgetop winds will be strong from the east and up to a foot of snow could fall in the high elevations of Girdwood/Portage Valleys and about half that in Turnagain Pass. Stay tuned!
Thank you to the NWS Anchorage Forecast Office for the above graphics.
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