CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR A LARGER IMAGE. The latest in a series of avalanches around Loveland Pass was small, but shows how terrain features can become potentially dangerous terrain traps. PHOTO BY BOB BERWYN.
Today’s weather extra, with a video link: CU researchers document startling pace of coastal erosion in Alaska
By Bob Berwyn
SUMMIT COUNTY — Blue skies and seasonable temperatures should make for a fine ski weekend, but backcountry skiers still need to be aware of potential avalanche hazards on slopes facing north to southeast, above treeline, where wind-loaded slabs are sitting on top of layers of unconsolidated sugar snow.
Natural avalanche activity has nearly ceased, but triggered slides are still possible to probable in parts of the zone, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. In the Saturday morning bulletin, forecaster Brad Sawtell said there was a report of a snowshoe hare triggering a small avalanche while running across a wind-loaded drift.
Small slabs and fractures are also visible on some of the steeper road cuts along high country passes and highways. another recent slide at Loveland Pass shows how small wind-loaded pockets can turn into dangerous terrain traps (see photo at right).
Temperatures for the next few days will range into the 20s for highs and drop into the low teens and single digits at night. The next major change in the weather pattern could come about Tuesday, when a colder trough of low pressure should dig into the area. Forecasts at this point are calling for a good chance of snow mid-week, perfect timing for skiers planning a holiday ski trip.
Far from the mountains of Summit County, researchers with the University of Colorado’s Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research have that portions of Alaska’s coastline are receding at a startling rate of 30 to 45 feet per year because of declining sea ice, warming waters and increased wave action.
The study area is about midway between Point Barrow and Prudhoe Bay on the North Slope. Bluffs of peat along the coastline are being undercut and melted by waves during the warm summer months. Although there are no towns in the vicinity, the rapid erosion could affect some abandoned military and oil industry infrastructure in the area.
The erosion was documented in part with time-lapse video photography that graphically demonstrates how quickly the sea is eating away at the shoreline. The University of Colorado news center posted a story on the research with video clips here.
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