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SnowChase

SnowChase 06 2024/25 | The dream of Alaska continues

April plays by its own rules.

04/17/2025 • by Michael Steger
Still no sign of summer break in Alaska. Just as winter is making a comeback in the Alps, it’s doing the same in Alaska. Despite being much farther north, Alaska is beginning to thaw—slowly. Spring is usually the time to "claim your spine" in the Chugach Mountains, but the weather windows have been few and far between, especially on the southern slopes. Since the last SnowChase, the weather simply hasn’t settled down.

April in the Chugach - between snow and melt

April is a turbulent transition period in the Chugach Mountains, seesawing between winter and spring. According to ERA5T climate data, the coastal ranges around Valdez average around 120 mm of precipitation, while Anchorage—sheltered by the Kenai Peninsula—remains significantly drier with less than 20 mm.

As spring takes hold, temperatures rise and the snow line begins to creep upward. It’s often raining on the coast while the mountains still receive fresh snow. The combination of a melting snowpack, the cold ocean, and occasional intrusions of Arctic air creates dynamic and unpredictable conditions. Night frosts are still possible into May, though they’re becoming increasingly rare along the coast.

April is considered “prime time” in Alaska—conditions in the mountains can be excellent, with fresh dumps of snow and a high likelihood of stable weather windows. Meanwhile, the big thaw begins in the lower coastal zones. Fog, drizzle, and slush dominate near sea level, while inland areas tend to stay much drier.

Rivers in the sky

Atmospheric rivers are an impressive natural phenomena—long, narrow corridors of moisture-laden air that can stretch for thousands of kilometers. These “invisible waterways” form over the oceans and are carried across the atmosphere by powerful high-altitude winds, transporting immense amounts of water vapor.

When an atmospheric river encounters a mountain range like the Chugach Mountains, the moist air is forced to rise. As it ascends, it cools and releases its moisture as rain or snow—much like a sponge being wrung out. A single atmospheric river can carry more water than even the largest rivers on Earth.

These powerful systems are responsible for a significant share of global water vapor transport and play a crucial role in the Earth's water cycle, influencing weather patterns, snowfall, and regional climates.

Current situation and outlook

No sooner had last weekend ’s storm moved on than the next low-pressure system came knocking at the door of the Chugach Mountains. And once again, it’s carrying a surge of warm, moisture-rich air—a textbook atmospheric river straight from the Pacific.

By Wednesday, the leading edge had already hit the western slopes of the Chugach. From Anchorage to Valdez, the region was drenched in heavy precipitation. While conditions in Anchorage have started to calm down today (Thursday), the moisture plume is now sliding eastward and is expected to reach Haines by midday. Along the Gulf of Alaska, it’s currently snowing and raining hard.

Valdez should see a break in the action by Friday—time to catch your breath before the next system rolls in?

Photo gallery

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