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Current Advisory (Turnagain Area)

Friday, February 3rd 2012

Created: Feb 3rd 6:58 am
Updated: Feb 3rd 10:09 am

Danger LevelTravel AdviceLikelihood of AvalanchesAvalanche Size and Distribution

Considerable with
Pockets of: High
(see the advisory for a description of these areas)
Trend: Increasing Danger		Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious routefinding and conservative decision-making essential.Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.
 Show the Complete North American Avalanche Danger Scale

Good morning. This is Kevin Wright with the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center on Friday, February 3rd at 10am. This will serve as a general backcountry avalanche advisory issued for Turnagain Arm with Turnagain Pass as the core advisory area (this advisory does not apply to highways, railroads, or operating ski areas).

ANNOUNCEMENT
Seward Highway DOT will be doing more avalanche reduction work today. Expect intermittent road closures between Summit lake and Seward. Check the 511 hotline or http://511.alaska.gov/ for the latest information. As of yesterday evening there were no parking areas plowed in Turnagain Pass. Be patient with the plowing efforts and do not block the road crews.

BOTTOM LINE
Avalanche danger is at CONSIDERABLE this morning for much of the region. The current storm system is producing heavy snowfall in Girdwood and Turnagain Arm. Pockets of HIGH danger are building again. Human triggered avalanches are likely on steep and/or wind loaded slopes. Natural avalanches are possible. Expert level avalanche avoidance skills are important for anyone traveling in the backcountry today. Many areas of the backcountry should be avoided completely today.

AVALANCHE DISCUSSION
A late morning update in the weather forecast has greater snowfall amounts accumulating in the region. All this snow is adding significant weight to an already overloaded pack. Conditions are changing fast, and avalanche danger is back on an increasing trend.

The majority of the snowfall from this storm is still recent enough to justify a Considerable danger rating. The peak storm intensity, with wind up to 120+ at ridgetops and most of the 2+ feet of snowfall occurred on Wednesday. Yesterday added another 4-8 inches in some areas, and a foot or more could fall today. This is a lot of extra weight on the snowpack in a short period of time. Steep slopes are ripe for a human trigger today, and natural avalanches are still possible.

Avalanche workers were finding a reactive snowpack at mid and high elevations yesterday. We found easy to moderate and clean shears within the storm snow in several different layers. One large natural avalanche crossed the Seward Highway at mile 37 yesterday morning, shutting down the road just North of the Sterling Y.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER
It is currently snowing hard in Girdwood and Turnagain Arm. Wind remains light at the ridgetops, but snow accumulation at all elevations is quickly becoming significant.

The last 2 days has brought an intense storm to the region. On Wednesday 2-3 feet of snow fell above 1000 feet in Girdwood, Turnagain Pass, and parts of the Kenai. Summit Lake got 14 inches of slightly drier snow. Thursday had intermittent snowfall with another 4-8 inches in some areas. This storm came in a little warmer, so sea level elevations got rain that transitioned to snow a few hundred feet up.

The majority of the major storm has passed our region, but another wave is entering Prince William Sound this morning. 8-14 inches of additional snow is possible today, with moderate wind and slightly lower temperatures in the mid 20s.

CNFAIC Weather Page and the NWS forecast

I will issue the next advisory Saturday morning. If you get out in the backcountry we want to know what you are seeing. Please send us your observations using the button at the top of this page or give us a call at 754-2369. Thanks and have a great day.

Weather and Riding Updates for CNF

(Updated: Feb 02, 2012 )
AREA
RIDING STATUS
WEATHER AND RIDING CONDITIONS
GLACIER DISTRICT
Johnson Pass
Open
Motorized trail follows the wagon road, South of the summer route (ski trail). Follow the signs or you will likely enter areas closed to motorized use.
Placer River
Open
Skookum Drainage
Open
Turnagain Pass
Open
Check out the 4 NEW Snowmachine bridges between Turnagain Pass and Johnson Pass North trailhead!
Twentymile
Open
Park at the Portage rail depot and cross the RR tracks at the designated spot ONLY! Please follow bamboo poles from the parking area.
SEWARD DISTRICT
Carter Lake
Open
 1/24/2012 32" at parking lot.
Lost Lake Trail
Open
 1/24/2012 56" of snow in the trees start of trail
Primrose Trail
Open
 1/24/2012 46" of snow at parking area.
Resurrection Pass Trail
Open
 1/24/2012 At Res south (West Juneau Rd) 26" of snow
Snug Harbor
Open
 1/24/2012 60" of snow at parking area.
South Fork Snow River Corridor
Open
1/24/12 54" of snow at start of trail.
Summit Lake
Open
1/24/2012 48 inches of snow at summit Lake.

The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
This advisory provided by the Chugach National Forest, in partnership with:
The Friends of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center
Thanks to our Sponsors:
and to our Members!

View an older advisory (Turnagain):
Prior Years

Avalanche centers supply knowledge, Backcountry.com, REI and Patagonia provide avalanche gear.







By clicking through the links above, these companies will donate a portion of your purchase price to the Friends of CNFAIC.
Feb 4th, 2012
  Snowmachiner Recognition of Avalanche Hazard: Module 1, Red flags
1 day $155 Alaska Avalanche School More Info: www.alaskaavalanche.org/Schedule.html
Feb 5th, 2012
  Recognition of Avalanche Hazard Lecture Series
1 day program, $50 Per Person Feb 5, 2012, Saturday: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Location: Alaska Avalanche School More Info: www.alaskaavalanche.org/Schedule.html
Feb 5th, 2012
  Snowmachiner Core Concepts in Avalanche Safety: Module 2
1 day $155 Alaska Avalanche School More Info: www.alaskaavalanche.org/Schedule.html
Feb 9th, 2012
  Backcountry Skiing Film Festival
Alaska Pacific University is presenting the Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival again this year and all proceeds benefit the Alaska Avalanche School. The Show is on Thursday, February 9th at the Grant Hall Theater. Doors open at 6:30pm and the show will start at 7:00pm. Tickets Cost $15 for Public and $10 for students with ID. The show will present nine different films with an intermission. Audience members can expect opportunities to win FREE shwag and prizes.
Feb 10th, 2012 -- Feb 12th, 2012
  Level 1 Backcountry Avalanche Hazard evaluation and rescue
3 days. $345 per person Girdwood and Turnagain Arm Alaska Avalanche School More Info: www.alaskaavalanche.org/Schedule.html
Feb 12th, 2012
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  Observer Training Day (non-motorized)
Join a CNFAIC avalanche forecaster for a day in the field! The purpose of these observer training sessions is to teach and encourage users how to submit quality snowpack, weather and avalanche observations for inclusion into daily avalanche bulletins. This session is open to Skiers or split-boarders with intermediate or advanced travel skills. Sign up by emailing Kevin Wright at kevin@chugachavalanche.org Space is limited.
Feb 18th, 2012 -- Feb 20th, 2012
  Level 1 Backcountry Avalanche Hazard evaluation and rescue
3 days. $345 per person Girdwood and Turnagain Arm Alaska Avalanche School More Info: www.alaskaavalanche.org/Schedule.html
Mar 10th, 2012 -- Mar 12th, 2012
  Level 1 Backcountry Avalanche Hazard evaluation and rescue
3 days. $345 per person Hatcher Pass Alaska Avalanche School More Info: www.alaskaavalanche.org/Schedule.html
Mar 10th, 2012
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  Observer Training Day (non-motorized)
Join a CNFAIC avalanche forecaster for a day in the field! The purpose of these observer training sessions is to teach and encourage users how to submit quality snowpack, weather and avalanche observations for inclusion into daily avalanche bulletins. This session is open to Skiers or split-boarders with intermediate or advanced travel skills. Sign up by emailing Kevin Wright at kevin@chugachavalanche.org Space is limited.