Avalanche — Matanuska Valley, Alaska
2016-01-02 to 2016-01-16 · Matanuska Valley, Alaska
1
Direct deaths
Event narrative
A person riding a snow mobile was caught in a terrain trap when an avalanche released above him. He was buried under 6 feet of snow and perished.
Wider weather episode
A low pressure system in Bristol Bay brought winds and heavy precipitation to the southcentral area. This caused wind loading in the snowpack at the tops of mountains and Hatcher Pass Recreation Area experienced considerable avalanche danger, according to the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center.
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 616169. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.