Alex Tolbert walks next to an avalanche that reached Judy Lane on Friday, March 31, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alex Tolbert walks next to an avalanche that reached Judy Lane on Friday, March 31, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Avalanche crashes down to neighborhood, damages car

An avalanche crashed down the Behrends Avenue avalanche path Friday morning, the largest that avalanche forecaster Tom Mattice has seen in his nine years in Juneau.

There was no major damage, besides a gate — which had a sign that warned of avalanche danger — being broken and a parked unoccupied van incurring light damage, said Mattice who runs the city’s urban avalanche advisory.

The avalanche was not unexpected, as Mattice raised the danger level for an avalanche to “high” on his forecast Wednesday night.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Due to the rain and humidity, avalanches have been tumbling down mountains in the borough’s backcountry. Every day, new snow and rainfall builds layers of wet and heavy snow above lighter layers of snow, which creates unstable conditions. Mattice compared the process to the spring of a mouse trap being pushed down more and more, gearing up for a release.

“Even though it’s harder to trigger (avalanches),” Mattice said, “they’re becoming more catastrophic in nature.”

Mattice said moisture has built up more than usual in the past week or so, with an inch of moisture at Eaglecrest Ski Area and three-fifths of an inch above the Mount Roberts Tram.

Conditions will likely remain unstable this weekend, Mattice said, and places such as The Flume and Perseverance Trail should be avoided as much as possible.

“Please use extreme caution this weekend if you’re playing in the mountains,” Mattice said.

An avalanche warning sign sits next to a metal gate destroyed by a Mount Juneau avalanche at the end of Judy Lane on Friday, March 31, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

An avalanche warning sign sits next to a metal gate destroyed by a Mount Juneau avalanche at the end of Judy Lane on Friday, March 31, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of March 16

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan. Sullivan (R-Alaska) walks through a hallway of protesters with his wife, Julie Fate Sullivan, before his annual address to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Sullivan generates warmth and heat with energy filled speech to Alaska Legislature

Senator takes barrage of friendly and confrontational questions from lawmakers about Trump’s agenda.

Research biologists pause among the wetlands of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain, with the Brooks Range in the background. The Trump administration is taking steps to offer the entire coastal plain for oil and gas leasing, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said on Thursday. (Lisa Hupp/USFWS)
Interior secretary announces plans to advance new Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil leasing

Follow-ups to Trump executive orders will mean leasing across ANWR, wider NPR development.

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Storis near Tampa, Florida, on Dec. 10, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Storis icebreaker expected to make ceremonial visit to Juneau this summer, officials say

Coast Guard icebreaker set to be homeported locally will still need further upgrades for deployment.

The Columbia state ferry docks at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on March 4. (Laurie Craig / For the Juneau Empire)
Alaska Marine Highway’s long-range plan met with skepticism and concerns

Residents decry loss of service, Murkowski says “once-in-a-generation” funding opportunity in peril.

Salmon dries on a traditional rack on the beach in the Seward Peninsula village of Teller on Sept. 2, 2021. Salmon is a dietary staple for Indigenous residents of Western Alaska, and poor runs have created hardship. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Bill would change the makeup of the Alaska Board of Fisheries

Would require commercial, sport and subsistence members, along with one representing scientists.

Sara Kveum speaks to the crowd rallying in front of the Alaska State Capitol, alongside Nikki Bass, both members of the Key Coalition of Alaska advocating for disability rights on March 19, 2025 (Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
‘We are done waiting!’ Advocates and supporters of Alaskans with disabilities rally at the Capitol

Participants focus on Medicaid, eliminating waitlists for support services, infant learning programs.

John Boyle, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (center left), sits with staff in the gallery of the Alaska House of Representatives as lawmakers debate the creation of a separate Alaska Department of Agriculture on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Speaking is Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska Legislature halts Dunleavy effort to create agriculture department

Legislators cancel executive order but say a bill to create the department is possible later this year.

Most Read