An Avalanche that closed part of the Seward Highway has since reopened. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities said that the avalanche blocked both lanes of the Seward Highway near milepost 45 in Summit Lake. It was reported around 4:00 p.m. Monday. After nearly four-and-a-half hours, the road was reopened and the snow was cleared. DOT crews estimated that the avalanche was 200 feet wide and between 4 and 6 feet deep. Yesterday’s avalanche was one of three that occurred off of Summit Mountain with start zones around 3,500 feet. The other two slides didn’t run to the road. There’s no other additional information on the other two at this time.
According to the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center, the longer days and warming temperatures appear to be the culprit. They say that the snowpack can react in unique ways due to the spring-like weather which is the number one red flag for avalanche potential. They urge drivers going through Turnagain Pass to exercise caution.
Natural avalanches aren’t expected, but human triggered slab avalanches between 1 and 3 feet deep remain possible on slopes 35 degrees and steeper due to buried weak layers. Additionally, watch for shallow new wind slabs formed in yesterday’s 4 to 6 feet of new snow as well as sluffs in the new snow.
Slopes with recent wind loading likely will be the places to trigger a slab avalanche. Pay attention to signs of unstable snow and any warming on the snow surface may occur. More information can be found here.