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A climber reported sizable recent natural avalanches in the Mt. POW/MIA area of the Western Chugach that were triggered by significant rain this weekend. The path in the photos reportedly ran from ~3500’ on a westerly aspect. The wet and wild #PineappleExpress weather recently has elevated #avalanche danger throughout Southcentral #Alaska. Driving back to #Anchorage from #Valdez Monday, numerous recent natural avalanches were observed in the Central, Northern, and Western #Chugach as well as in the Southern Talkeetnas. While the lack of low elevation #snow may be frustrating, these warm storms bode well for a stout high #alpine base and ice #climbing formations. The high water content snow also bodes well for stability in the long term. It seems like the weather will chill out the next few days with clearer skies and cooler temps that should initiate a period of snowpack stabilization. Nevertheless, approach the #mountains with caution if you venture out to enjoy the more benign weather; an early season snowpack is generally dangerous and especially avalanche prone. While the snowpack may be stabilizing under clearer skies with colder temps that will help lock it into place, snowpacks throughout the region have received a lot of stress in recent days and are still generally thin (which usually means they are also weak and susceptible to avalanche).

A post shared by Anchorage Avalanche Center (@anchorage_avalanche_center) on Nov 13, 2018 at 9:10am PST