Apr. 5—An avalanche warning is in place through Saturday from Girdwood to Portage Valley, Whittier and Turnagain Pass as rain, snow and strong winds are on track to overload an already unstable snowpack.
The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center said Friday that “very dangerous avalanche conditions exist” in the Western Chugach and Kenai Mountains with a high likelihood of both natural and human-triggered avalanches. Forecasters noted that very dangerous conditions will remain “immediately after the storm is over.”
The warning was slated to remain in place until 5 p.m. Saturday.
Forecasters advised people to avoid traveling in or below avalanche terrain as slide debris could run to the bottom of valleys, entering snow-free areas with hiking trails.
“We already had a complex and dangerous snowpack setup and this storm will be adding fuel to the fire,” the center wrote in Friday’s avalanche forecast for Turnagain Pass, reflecting high danger at all elevations. Forecasters noted that significant avalanche activity — including large, destructive glide avalanches — had been seen across the zone all week.
Four people have died in avalanches this season in Southcentral Alaska.
Additional information about avalanche danger and hazards, and an updated forecast, can be found on the Chugach avalanche center website at cnfaic.org.
