10 a.m. Monday, June 11, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: Below Threshold

Outlook: The CRH avalanche season is over.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: LOW Use caution around cornices and steep unsupported slopes.

Tree Line: LOW Use caution around glide cracks and steep unsupported slopes.

Below Tree Line: Below Threshold

Hello,

Recent cloudy weather has slowed our spring shed. Also, our snow pack has shrunk enough so that the CRH avalanche season is now officially over.

Expect rain showers through the week. Avalanche activity may continue in the upper mountains, but there is not enough snow left to affect the highway. Backcountry users should still use caution. We may see some loose snow avalanches on steep slopes above tree line. Cornice breaks and glide crack failures could cause larger avalanches. Avalanche activity may increase if we see a hot sunny day or heavy rain.

This has been an exceptional avalanche season. Thanks to all for your help and patience. Please email me if you have any comments. They are greatly appreciated.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

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

 

9 a.m. Monday, June 4, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: LOW

Outlook: The avalanche hazard may increase if we see a hot sunny day.

BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Above Tree Line: MODERATE Use caution around cornices and steep unsupported slopes.

Tree Line: LOW Use caution around glide cracks and steep unsupported slopes.

Below Tree Line: LOW Use caution around large paths.

Hello,

Our snow pack has been steadily shrinking, yet with abundant snow still in the upper mountains, our avalanche season lingers. Spring shed began for us at the end of March and continued strong through April. Cold arctic air briefly brought winter back in the beginning of May, including several feet of new snow in the upper mountains. Warmer temperatures in the last 2 weeks restarted our spring shed. Loose snow avalanche activity occurred at tree line and above, including occasional large avalanche events.

Expect mostly cloudy and mostly dry weather through the week. We may see some loose snow avalanches on steep slopes above tree line. Cornice breaks and glide crack failures could cause larger avalanches. Avalanches are not expected to affect the highway, though with avalanche paths paved and ample snow available for entrainment, caution is still advised. The CRH avalanche season will continue for another week or two. Avalanche activity may increase if we see a hot sunny day.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

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

 

Noon Friday, May 25, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: MODERATE

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

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 Use caution around large paths.

Hello,

Our avalanche season lingers. Spring shed began for us at the end of March and continued strong through April. Cold arctic air briefly brought winter back in the beginning of May. Several feet of new snow fell in the upper mountains. Warm temperatures in the last week have restarted our spring shed. Loose snow avalanche activity continues at tree line and above, including occasional large avalanche events.

Another low in the North Pacific will bring us rain through the weekend. Precipitation models suggest a quarter inch of water today, a half inch Saturday, and another half inch Sunday. Warm temperatures should keep precipitation all rain to our local peaks. Expect loose snow avalanches on steep slopes above tree line. Cornice breaks and glide crack failures could cause large avalanches. With avalanche paths paved to sea level and ample snow available for entrainment, extra caution is still advised. Be aware of what is above you, and avoid steep slopes, glide cracks, and cornices. We should see a break in precipitation Monday, but it looks like rain will return after that. The avalanche hazard will slowly decrease as the snow pack slowly disappears.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

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

 

9 a.m. Saturday, May 19, 2012

COPPER RIVER HIGHWAY AVALANCHE HAZARD

Current: MODERATE

Outlook: The avalanche hazard should slowly decrease.

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 Use caution around large paths.

Hello,

We received 4 inches of water last weekend. 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, 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 caused more loose snow avalanche activity at tree line and above.

A stacked low in the North Pacific will bring stormy weather just south of us. Precipitation models suggest a half inch of water today, a quarter inch Sunday, and another quarter inch Monday. Temperatures should fluctuate between the upper 30’s and lower 50’s, so precipitation will probably be all rain to our local peaks. Expect some loose snow avalanches on steep slopes above tree line. 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 slopes, glide cracks, and cornices. Precipitation should taper next week, allowing the avalanche hazard to slowly decrease.

Steve “Hoots” Witsoe

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

 

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.