9 a.m. Thursday, May 17, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: LOW in the morning, increasing to CONSIDERABLE after noon.

Outlook: The avalanche hazard should slowly decrease through the weekend.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Avoid cornices and steep sun baked slopes.

Tree Line: MODERATE Avoid glide cracks and steep sun baked slopes.

Below Tree Line: LOW Avoid large paths during the heat of the day.

Hello,

We received 4 inches of water last Thursday through Sunday. Cold air kept the freezing line between 1000 and 3000 feet. At sea level this resulted in a mix of snow and rain and minimal accumulation. At the top of the ski hill this translated into 16 inches of moist snow, while above 2000 feet it created over 3 feet of new snow. Some medium sized avalanches occurred during the storm at tree line and above. Since then, strong sunshine and warm daytime temperatures have caused much loose snow avalanche activity at tree line and above.

Expect clear skies with light variable wind and daytime temperatures warming into the 50’s. Loose snow avalanches are expected on steep sun baked slopes. Cornice breaks and glide crack failures are also possible. With avalanche paths paved to sea level and ample snow available for entrainment, extra caution is advised. Be aware of what is above you, and avoid steep sun baked slopes, glide cracks, and cornices during the heat of the day. We may see some clouds this weekend, though precipitation should be limited. The avalanche hazard should continue to slowly decrease through the weekend.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

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

 

 

8 p.m. Monday, May 14, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: MODERATE increasing to CONSIDERABLE after noon.

Outlook: The avalanche hazard should decrease toward the end of the week.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Avoid cornices and steep sun baked slopes.

Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Avoid glide cracks and steep sun baked slopes.

Below Tree Line: MODERATE Avoid large paths during the heat of the day.

Hello,

For the last month we have been experiencing our spring shed. Recently, however, winter set in again. We received 4 inches of water Thursday through Sunday. Cold air kept the freezing line between 1000 and 3000 feet. At sea level this resulted in a mix of snow and rain and minimal accumulation. At the top of the ski hill this translated into 16 inches of moist snow, while above 2000 feet it created over 3 feet of new snow. Some medium sized avalanches occurred during the storm at tree line and above.

Expect clearing skies with light variable wind and daytime temperatures warming into the 50’s. Loose snow avalanches are expected on steep sun baked slopes. Cornice breaks and glide crack failures are also possible. With avalanche paths paved to sea level and ample snow available for entrainment, extra caution is advised. Be aware of what is above you, and avoid steep sun baked slopes, glide cracks, and cornices during the heat of the day. Building clouds toward the end of the week should decrease daytime temperatures, allowing the avalanche hazard to decrease.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

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

 

 

8 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: CONSIDERABLE

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

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: HIGH Avoid cornices and steep unsupported slopes.

Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Avoid glide cracks and steep unsupported slopes.

Below Tree Line: MODERATE Avoid large paths.

Hello,

We continue our spring shed, which began at the end of March. While snow is finally disappearing down low, many feet still exist at tree line and above. Precipitation last weekend caused widespread wet loose snow avalanches at tree line and above. Scattered showers have lingered. A few glide cracks and cornice failures have also caused large avalanches.

Another storm is about to affect us. Expect heavy rain through Thursday. Precipitation models suggest 2 to 3 inches of water. Temperatures should bring the freezing level above our local peaks. Small to medium sized wet loose avalanches are probable at tree line and above. Larger avalanches are possible and consequences could be large. With avalanche paths paved to sea level and ample snow available for entrainment, extra caution is advised. Be aware of what is above you, and avoid steep unsupported slopes, glide cracks, and cornices. Rain should taper Friday but looks to increase again Saturday, keeping the avalanche hazard elevated through the weekend.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

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

 

 

9 p.m. Monday, May 7, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: MODERATE

Outlook: The avalanche hazard will remain slightly elevated.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Avoid cornices and steep unsupported slopes.

Tree Line: MODERATE Avoid glide cracks and steep unsupported slopes.

Below Tree Line: LOW Avoid large paths.

Hello,

We continue our spring shed, which began at the end of March. We received an inch of water Sunday. Temperatures have kept the freezing level around 2500 ft. Widespread wet loose snow avalanches occurred at tree line and above. Several glide cracks exist; some have caused large avalanches. A few cornice failures have also caused large avalanches.

Expect lingering showers through the week. Precipitation models suggest only a trace, so avalanche activity should decrease as things dry out. Precipitation will increase toward the end of the week, causing the avalanche hazard to increase again. With avalanche paths paved to sea level and ample snow available for entrainment, extra caution is advised. Be aware of what is above you, and avoid steep unsupported slopes, glide cracks, and cornices.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

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

 

 

9 a.m. Sunday, May 6, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: CONSIDERABLE

Outlook: The avalanche hazard may remain elevated.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Avoid cornices and steep unsupported slopes.

Tree Line: MODERATE Avoid glide cracks and steep unsupported slopes.

Below Tree Line: LOW Avoid large paths.

Hello,

We continue our spring shed, which began at the end of March. Several glide cracks exist, with some causing large avalanches. A few cornice failures have also caused large avalanches.

Expect rain today with moderate to strong east wind and temperatures in the 40’s. Precipitation models suggest an inch of water today. With avalanche paths paved to sea level and ample snow available for entrainment, extra caution is advised. Be aware of what is above you, and avoid steep unsupported slopes, glide cracks, and cornices. We should see a slight break in the rain Monday, though the avalanche hazard will remain elevated while the snow pack drains. Rain will linger through the week. Another storm arrives at the end of the week.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

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

 

 

9 a.m. Friday, May 4, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: MODERATE

Outlook: The avalanche hazard will increase Sunday.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Avoid cornices and steep unsupported slopes.

Tree Line: MODERATE Avoid glide cracks and steep unsupported slopes.

Below Tree Line: LOW Avoid large paths.

Hello,

We continue our spring shed, which began at the end of March. Several glide cracks exist, with some causing large avalanches. A few cornice failures have also caused large avalanches. In the last 2 days we received almost 2 inches of water. Temperatures have been cooler, allowing the freezing level to briefly drop to sea level Wednesday morning. This created a foot of heavy snow at the top of the ski hill before the freezing level climbed again above 2000 ft. Observations have been limited due to obscured weather, though avalanche activity probably occurred on steep unsupported slopes.

Expect scattered showers to continue until the next storm arrives Sunday. Precipitation should be light, and clouds should limit sunshine. Avalanche activity should slow until precipitation increases Sunday. With avalanche paths paved to sea level and ample snow available for entrainment, extra caution is advised. Be aware of what is above you, and avoid steep unsupported slopes, glide cracks, and cornices.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

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

 

 

8 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: CONSIDERABLE

Outlook: The avalanche hazard will remain slightly elevated.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Avoid cornices and steep unsupported slopes.

Tree Line: MODERATE Avoid glide cracks and steep unsupported slopes.

Below Tree Line: LOW Avoid large paths.

Hello,

We continue our spring shed, which began at the end of March. Warm day time temperatures along with strong sunshine and or rain continue to cause avalanche activity on steep unsupported slopes. Several glide cracks exist, with some causing large avalanches. A few cornice failures have also caused large avalanches. Precipitation has recently increased, while temperatures are decreasing.

Cold air from the arctic is mixing with a low to the southeast of us. We should see some snow to sea level tonight and Wednesday morning. Precipitation may linger through the week. Temperatures will probably increase Wednesday, changing precipitation back to rain. With avalanche paths paved to sea level and ample snow available for entrainment, extra caution is advised. Avalanche activity could affect the highway, but is not likely. This becomes a probability game. Chances are low, though consequences could be high. Risk is reduced by limiting exposure. Be aware of what is above you, and avoid steep unsupported slopes, glide cracks, and cornices. The hazard could increase if we get significant precipitation.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

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

 

 

9 a.m. Thursday, April 26, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: MODERATE increasing to CONSIDERABLE during the heat of the day.

Outlook: The avalanche hazard will remain slightly elevated.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Avoid cornices and steep unsupported slopes.

Tree Line: MODERATE Avoid glide cracks and steep unsupported slopes.

Below Tree Line: LOW Avoid large paths.

Hello,

We are in the midst of our spring shed, which began at the end of March. Warm day time temperatures along with strong sunshine continue to cause avalanche activity on steep unsupported slopes. Several glide cracks have emerged, with some causing large avalanches. A few cornice failures have also caused large avalanches. With avalanche paths paved to sea level and ample snow available for entrainment, extra caution is advised. Avalanche activity could affect the highway, but is not likely. This becomes a probability game. Chances are low, though consequences could be high. Risk is reduced by limiting exposure. So, avoid unnecessary travel across 3, 5, and 5.5 mile during the heat of the day. Be aware of what is above you, and avoid steep unsupported slopes, glide cracks, and cornices. We may see some rain this weekend. The hazard should remain the same, but will increase if we get significant precipitation.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

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

 

 

10 a.m. Thursday, April 19, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: MODERATE increasing to CONSIDERABLE during the heat of the day.

Outlook: The avalanche hazard will remain slightly elevated.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Avoid cornices and steep unsupported slopes.

Tree Line: MODERATE Avoid glide cracks and steep unsupported slopes.

Below Tree Line: LOW Avoid large paths.

Hello,

Temperatures decreased below freezing at the airport last night. An inversion, however, has kept Mt Eyak Snotel (1500 ft) above freezing. Strong sunshine and lack of wind look to make this a very warm afternoon. Several glide cracks have emerged in the last few weeks, with some causing large avalanches on steep unsupported slopes. Large cornices also pose a hazard. With avalanche paths paved to sea level and ample snow available for entrainment, extra caution is advised. Probabilities are low, though consequences are high. Avalanche activity could affect the highway. Avoid travel across 3, 5, and 5.5 mile during the heat of the day. Be aware of what is above you, and avoid steep unsupported slopes, glide cracks, and cornices. Friday should be the same.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

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

 

 

10 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: MODERATE

Outlook: The avalanche hazard will remain slightly elevated.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: CONSIDERABLE Avoid cornices and steep unsupported slopes.

Tree Line: MODERATE Avoid glide cracks and steep unsupported slopes.

Below Tree Line: LOW

Hello,

Prolonged warm temperatures and recent rain has weakened our snow pack. Several glide cracks have emerged in the last few weeks, with some causing large avalanches on steep unsupported slopes. A glide crack failed to ground at 5 mile Tuesday. This caused a large snow and land slide to deposit debris 30 ft deep across 200 ft of the highway. While consequences can obviously be large, probabilities of occurrences are not, as evident with all the glide cracks that have not released. With that said, this has been an exceptional winter, and exceptional circumstances create exceptional events. Extra caution is advised during this spring shed. Avalanche paths are paved to sea level, ample snow is available for entrainment, and temperatures continue to be above freezing at all elevations. Avalanche activity may affect the highway, but is not likely. Avoid steep unsupported slopes, glide cracks, and cornices. The sky is not falling, but pieces of it may. Be aware of what is above you.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

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