8 a.m. Wednesday, February 22, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: LOW

Outlook: The avalanche hazard should continue to decrease through the week.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Use caution around cornices and wind loaded western slopes.

Tree Line: MODERATE Use caution around steep, wind loaded slopes.

Below Tree Line: LOW

Hello,

Over a week ago, heavy precipitation, strong east wind, and warm temperatures created several medium to large sized avalanches on western slopes at tree line and above. Since then precipitation, wind, and temperatures have slowly decreased allowing the avalanche hazard to slowly decrease.

Expect scattered snow showers today and Thursday while winds remain light and variable. Temperatures may climb above freezing during the day, but will in general continue to decrease. Avalanches are not expected to affect the highway. Backcountry users should use caution around steep, wind loaded, western slopes above tree line. The avalanche hazard should continue to decrease through the week.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

Current avalanche activity is an important factor in avalanche forecasting. Please report all observed avalanche activity.

 

 

8 a.m. Monday, February 20, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: MODERATE

Outlook: The avalanche hazard may increase with heavy precipitation.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Avoid wind loaded western slopes and cornices.

Tree Line: MODERATE Use caution around steep, wind loaded slopes.

Below Tree Line: LOW

Hello,

Early last week, heavy precipitation, strong wind, and increasing temperatures created several medium to large sized avalanches on western slopes at tree line and above. Temperatures have since decreased, bringing the freezing level below 1000 feet. Precipitation and wind have been limited, allowing the avalanche hazard to decrease.

Another big storm is now upon us. Precipitation models suggest ¾ inch of water today and another ½ inch Tuesday. Moderate to strong east wind will load western aspects. Temperatures could climb into the upper 30’s this afternoon, bringing rain into the upper mountains. The avalanche hazard will increase then. Avalanches are not expected to affect the highway. Backcountry users should avoid steep, wind loaded, western slopes at tree line and above. The avalanche hazard may increase further if precipitation becomes heavy. Otherwise, the hazard should decrease by Wednesday.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

Current avalanche activity is an important factor in avalanche forecasting. Please report all observed avalanche activity.

 

 

8 p.m. Saturday, February 18, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: LOW

Outlook: The avalanche hazard will probably increase by Monday.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: MODERATE Use caution around steep western aspects.

Tree Line: MODERATE Use caution around steep loaded slopes and tree wells.

Below Tree Line: LOW

Hello,

We received over 10 inches of water in 9 days, while the freezing level fluctuated between sea level and 2000 feet. This translated into several feet of snow in the upper mountains. Strong east wind heavily loaded western aspects and created large cornices. Early this week, several medium to large sized avalanches occurred on western slopes at tree line and above. Temperatures have since decreased, bringing the freezing level below 1000 feet. Precipitation and wind have also decreased, allowing the avalanche hazard to decrease.

Expect mostly cloudy skies with light east wind through Sunday. Avalanches are not expected to affect the highway. Backcountry users should use caution around steep wind loaded western slopes. Another storm is expected to affect us by Monday. The avalanche hazard will probably increase then.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

Current avalanche activity is an important factor in avalanche forecasting. Please report all observed avalanche activity.

 

 

8 p.m. Friday, February 17, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: MODERATE

Outlook: The avalanche hazard may remain elevated through the weekend.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Avoid steep western aspects.

Tree Line: MODERATE Use caution around steep slopes and tree wells.

Below Tree Line: LOW

Hello,

We received over 10 inches of water in the last 9 days, while the freezing level fluctuated between sea level and 2000 feet. This translated into several feet of snow in the upper mountains. Strong east wind heavily loaded western aspects and created large cornices. Early this week, several medium to large sized avalanches occurred on western slopes at tree line and above. Temperatures have recently decreased, bringing the freezing level below 1000 feet. Precipitation is now becoming scattered and wind light, allowing the avalanche hazard to decrease.

Expect increasing precipitation Saturday afternoon. Sea level temperatures may climb into the mid 30’s, while east wind may blow moderate. The avalanche hazard, therefore, will remain slightly elevated. Avalanches are not expected to affect the highway. Backcountry users should use increasing caution around steep wind loaded western slopes. The avalanche hazard could increase with strong east wind or heavy precipitation.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

Current avalanche activity is an important factor in avalanche forecasting. Please report all observed avalanche activity.

 

 

8 a.m. Thursday, February 16, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: MODERATE

Outlook: The avalanche hazard may increase this afternoon.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Use caution around steep western aspects.

Tree Line: MODERATE Use caution around steep slopes.

Below Tree Line: LOW

Hello,

We’ve seen a lot of precipitation in the last week. The freezing level fluctuated between sea level and 2000 feet, so this translated into several feet of snow in the upper mountains. Strong east wind loaded western aspects and created large cornices. Many medium to large sized avalanches occurred on western slopes at tree line and above.

Expect increasing precipitation this afternoon. Models suggest about a half inch of water. Sea level temperatures should fluctuate in the mid to lower 30’s, while east wind may blow moderate to strong. Avalanches are not expected to affect the highway. Backcountry users should use caution around steep western slopes above tree line. The avalanche hazard could increase this afternoon if east wind blows strong or precipitation becomes heavy. Weather models are inconsistent after that, but things look to stay active.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

Current avalanche activity is an important factor in avalanche forecasting. Please report all observed avalanche activity.

 

 

8 a.m. Wednesday, February 15, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: CONSIDERABLE

Outlook: The avalanche hazard should decrease Thursday.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: HIGH Avoid steep western aspects.

Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Use caution around steep western slopes.

Below Tree Line: MODERATE Avoid large paths.

Hello,

Previously, we received 6 inches of water in four days, with moderate to strong east wind. The freezing level fluctuated between sea level and 2000 feet. This translated into several feet of snow on wind loaded western aspects at tree line and above. Many medium sized avalanches occurred on western slopes at tree line and above in the last few days. A quick break between storms yesterday allowed the avalanche hazard to briefly decrease.

Expect increasing precipitation today. Models suggest about an inch of water. Sea level temperatures should fluctuate in the mid 30’s, while east wind will blow moderate to strong. This may cause significant avalanche activity. Avalanches are not expected to reach the highway, but caution is advised. Backcountry users should avoid steep western aspects above tree line. We should see another quick break in the weather Thursday. The avalanche hazard should decrease then.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

Current avalanche activity is an important factor in avalanche forecasting. Please report all observed avalanche activity.

 

 

8 a.m. Tuesday, February 14, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: MODERATE

Outlook: The avalanche hazard will probably increase Wednesday.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Use caution around steep western aspects.

Tree Line: MODERATE Use caution around steep slopes.

Below Tree Line: LOW

Hello,

We received 6 inches of water in the last four days, with moderate to strong east wind. The freezing level has fluctuated between sea level and 2000 feet. This translated into several feet of snow on wind loaded western aspects above tree line. Weather has kept observations limited, though medium sized avalanches have probably occurred on western slopes above tree line in the last few days.

Expect a quick break between storms today. Decreased precipitation, temperature, and wind will allow the avalanche hazard to decrease. Avalanches are not expected to affect the highway today. Backcountry users should use caution around steep western aspects above tree line. Another storm will begin to affect us after midnight. Precipitation models suggest less than an inch of water Wednesday. Sea level temperatures should fluctuate in the mid 30’s, while east wind will blow moderate. The avalanche hazard may increase then.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

Current avalanche activity is an important factor in avalanche forecasting. Please report all observed avalanche activity.

 

 

8 p.m. Sunday, February 12, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: CONSIDERABLE

Outlook: The avalanche hazard should decrease Tuesday, but increase again Wednesday.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: HIGH Avoid steep western aspects.

Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Use caution around steep slopes.

Below Tree Line: MODERATE Avoid large paths.

Hello,

We received 4 inches of water in the last three days, with moderate to strong east wind. The freezing level has fluctuated between sea level and 2000 feet. This translated into a couple inches of slush at sea level, two feet of heavy snow at the top of the ski hill (1400 feet), and several feet of snow on wind loaded western aspects above tree line. Weather has kept observations limited, though medium sized avalanches have probably occurred on western slopes above tree line in the last few days.

Another storm is about to affect us. Expect an inch and a half of water, with strong east wind. Temperatures should bring snow to sea level initially before the freezing level rises to the upper mountains Monday. This may cause significant avalanche activity. Avalanches are not expected to reach the highway, but caution is advised. Backcountry users should avoid steep western aspects above tree line. We should see a quick break in the weather Tuesday, though another storm is expected Wednesday.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

Current avalanche activity is an important factor in avalanche forecasting. Please report all observed avalanche activity.

 

 

8 a.m. Friday, February 10, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: CONSIDERABLE

Outlook: The avalanche hazard may remain elevated.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: HIGH Avoid steep western aspects.

Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Use caution around steep slopes.

Below Tree Line: MODERATE Avoid large paths.

Hello,

Temperatures continue to be warm, bringing rain to our local peaks again. Precipitation models suggest 1.5 inches of water Friday, an inch Saturday, and another inch Sunday. Heavy rain in the upper mountains may cause significant avalanche activity. The avalanche hazard may remain elevated through the weekend.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

Current avalanche activity is an important factor in avalanche forecasting. Please report all observed avalanche activity.

 

 

8 a.m. Thursday, February 9, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: MODERATE

Outlook: The avalanche hazard may increase Friday.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Avoid steep wind loaded western aspects.

Tree Line: MODERATE Use caution around steep western slopes.

Below Tree Line: LOW

Hello,

Temperatures have been very warm, bringing rain to our local peaks yesterday. Precipitation ended last night, but temperatures continue to be above freezing in the upper mountains.

Expect a brief break between storms today, with precipitation increasing after midnight. Avalanche activity is not expected to affect the highway today. Backcountry users should use caution as rain is still draining through the snow pack. Precipitation models suggest 1.5 inches Friday and another inch Saturday, so the avalanche hazard will probably increase then.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

Current avalanche activity is an important factor in avalanche forecasting. Please report all observed avalanche activity.