Avalanche — Matanuska Valley, Alaska

2018-03-19 to 2018-03-20 · Matanuska Valley, Alaska

Event narrative

Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center reported an avalanche in Hatcher Pass closed the road to the ski area at the top. 10 people were stranded at the ski area for 24 hours while DOT cleared the road. No one was injured.

Wider weather episode

High pressure moving in from the west and low pressure moving in from the east combined to tighten the gradient over the eastern Chugach mountains. A strong shortwave moving in from the north enhanced the winds through channeled terrain, taking them to warning level. This caused some wind damage at Tsaina Lodge.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 742275. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.