Avalanche Advisory
Friday, March 29th 2013 5:29 am by John Fitzgerald ARCHIVED ADVISORY - All advisories expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time. |
The avalanche hazard is MODERATE above treeline, where dense wind slabs up to 18" in depth will be easy for a snowmachine or skier to trigger today. Below treeline the hazard is LOW and will rise to MODERATE as more snow falls & temperatures warm. The main concerns below treeline will be shallow loose snow avalanches and isolated pockets of wind slab that will become easier to trigger as the day warms.
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Travel Advice: Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. |
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Travel Advice: Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. |
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Travel Advice: Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. |
This Sunday is the 2nd ANNUAL CORN HARVEST - get it on your calendar now !! Come join the CNFAIC Friends and Forecasting staff on Turnagain Pass for FREE FOOD, games, prizes, etc. This is one way we would like to thank all of you for your dedication and support.
Winds over the last 24 hours have been strong enough to move around snow to create sensitive slabs. Yesterday my partner and I observed these slabs starting to build. Other parties reported similar conditions along and near ridge crests and on leeward slopes. These slabs will be most likely to propagate and pick up speed on steep south facing upper elevation starting zones and above cross loaded gullies. If you notice shooting cracks or the snow below your feet or sled feels hollow and you happen to be in steep terrain, back off before you're moving downhill with the slab. Warmer temps and continued high winds will help to make these slabs be "upside down" and release with ease.
While snowfall amounts have been lower than what was forecasted yesterday, there is still enough loose snow in non wind affected areas to warrant attention. Volume of these sluffs should be in the low to medium range. Volume will increase as more snow accumulates through the day. Sluffs will release more easily as temps climb. On steep south facing terrain crusts will allow the snow to move more quickly. These avalanches will be manageable on their own but have the potential to carry people into gullies & trees, and over cliff bands. Choosing terrain that gives you options for escape will be important in dealing with this problem today.
Additional Concern---Cornice Fall
The winds of the past day have also helped to build the size of cornices. Steer clear of these behemoths as they can do significant damage. The largest avalanches that have occurred in the month of March have been the result of cornices dropping.
In the past 24 hours the Turnagain Pass SNOTEL has picked up 6" of new snow with .5" of water. Winds at the Seattle Ridge weather station at 2,400' have averaged 30mph out of the SE with gusts to 59mph. Temperatures have averaged 16.5 degrees F at this location. Temperatures have been on the rise since the early morning hours and are currently in the low 20s F.
Today expect continued intermittent snowfall, with 4-7" of accumulation possible. Winds at ridge tops will average 35-40mph out of the SE with gusts over 50 mph. Temperatures at 1,000' will be in the low to mid 30 F range.
The extended outlook calls for a continuation of unsettled weather going into the weekend with snowfall amounts remaining relatively light.
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Kevin will issue the next advisory tomorrow morning, March 30th.
This is 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).
Riding status is not associated with avalanche danger. An area will be open to motorized use in accordance to the Forest Management Plan when snow coverage is adequate to protect underlying vegetation. Backcountry hazards including avalanche hazard are always present regardless of the open status of motorized use areas.
(Updated: Apr 22, 2018 )
AREA | STATUS | WEATHER AND RIDING CONDITIONS |
Glacier District | ||
Johnson Pass: | Closed | Closed as of April 20th |
Placer River: | Closed | Closed as of April 17th |
Skookum Drainage: | Closed | Closed as of April 1st. |
Turnagain Pass: | Open | |
Twentymile: | Closed | Closed as of April 13th |
Seward District | ||
Carter Lake: | Open | |
Lost Lake Trail: | Closed | Closed as of April 13th |
Primrose Trail: | Closed | Closed as of April 13th |
Resurrection Pass Trail: | Closed | Closed as of April 20th |
Snug Harbor: | Open | |
South Fork Snow River Corridor: | Closed | Closed as of April 13th |
Summit Lake: | Closed | Closed as of April 20th |
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SNOW AND AVALANCHE HOTLINE (907) 754-2369 If you have comments or questions regarding CNFAIC operations or winter recreation management, please email staff@chugachavalanche.org
© 2018 Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center. All rights reserved. |
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