March 21, 2018

Avalanche Danger Update

Issued at 4pm:

Continued, strong northerly winds are again increasing avalanche danger across Chugach State Park.  There’s still a lot of loose snow available for transport, and active wind loading today is adding stress to persistent slabs and building fresh wind slabs on leeward aspects.  The snowpack is generally more dangerous to the north of the Front Range (north of Ship Creek), but dangerous conditions may exist in the Front Range and along Turnagain Arm as well.

Check the previous advisory (here) for more information on current avalanche problems.  Due to the strong northerly winds and cold temperatures in the alpine, wet avalanches are less of a concern than anticipated when the prior advisory was written.  Persistent slabs remain the primary concern, with wind slabs being the secondary concern.

Stay tuned for an extensive observation update from the South Fork Eagle River area tonight.