Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast RSS

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ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Fri, January 1st, 2021 - 7:00AM
Expires
Sat, January 2nd, 2021 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Wendy Wagner
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

The avalanche danger remains MODERATE on slopes over 35° above 1,000′. Triggering a wind slab avalanche 1-2′ thick remains possible on wind loaded steep slopes and in cross-loaded gullies. Additionally, at elevations between 1,000′ and 2,500′ there is a small chance of triggering a large avalanche (3-5′ deep) on weak snow developing near a crust.

The avalanche danger is LOW below 1,000′.

SUMMIT LAKE: In addition to wind slabs, it is still possible to trigger an avalanche on a weak layer buried mid-pack below 2500′ or near the ground above 2500′.

Special Announcements

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of our readers and avalanche center supporters out there!! It has been a fantastic start to the season. Cheers to bringing in 2021 with a snowpack 30% more than average and 50% more than last year!

Thanks to our sponsors!
Fri, January 1st, 2021
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Moderate (2)
Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Moderate (2)
Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
Low (1)
Avalanche risk
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Avalanche risk
Moderate (2)
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Avalanche risk
Moderate (2)
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
Avalanche risk
Low (1)
Danger Scale:
No Rating (0)
Low (1)
Moderate (2)
Considerable (3)
High (4)
Extreme (5)
Avalanche Problem 1
  • Wind Slabs
    Wind Slabs
  • Almost Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
    Likelihood
  • Historic (D4-5)
    Very Large (D3)
    Large (D2)
    Small (D1)
    Size
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Likelihood of Avalanches
Terms such as "unlikely", "likely", and "certain" are used to define the scale, with the chance of triggering or observing avalanches increasing as we move up the scale. For our purposes, "Unlikely" means that few avalanches could be triggered in avalanche terrain and natural avalanches are not expected. "Certain" means that humans will be able to trigger avalanches on many slopes, and natural avalanches are expected.

Size of Avalanches
Avalanche size is defined by the largest potential avalanche, or expected range of sizes related to the problem in question. Assigned size is a qualitative estimate based on the destructive classification system and requires specialists to estimate the harm avalanches may cause to hypothetical objects located in the avalanche track (AAA 2016, CAA 2014). Under this schema, "Small" avalanches are not large enough to bury humans and are relatively harmless unless they carry people over cliffs or through trees or rocks. Moving up the scale, avalanches become "Large" enough to bury, injure, or kill people. "Very Large" avalanches may bury or destroy vehicles or houses, and "Historic" avalanches are massive events capable of altering the landscape.

Signal Word Size (D scale) Simple Descriptor
Small 1 Unlikely to bury a person
Large 2 Can bury a person
Very Large 3 Can destroy a house
Historic 4 & 5 Can destroy part or all of a village
More info at Avalanche.org

Blue skies, light winds and chilly temperatures are on tap for this New Year’s Day; what a great weather forecast to bring in the New Year and not to mention, we have 13 more minutes of daylight since solstice! With nothing weather-wise to increase the avalanche danger, we are looking at a few existing snowpack issues that should keep us on our toes. These are lingering wind slabs and some funny business buried in the snowpack, discussed below.

First wind slabs. Over the past 10 days the mountains have received quite a bit of wind. Winds have been from our standard easterly direction and the most recent winds that formed slabs were two days ago. Hence, wind slabs, wind crusts and scoured areas are common above treeline. With folks headed into the further reaches of the forecast zone and beyond, there are sure to be a few wind slabs that could still pop out on us. Watch for hard snow over softer snow and any cracks that shoot out from you. Wind slabs generally have a smooth rounded surface where snow has been piled up. Be suspect of these pillowed areas on the steep slopes, rollovers and in steep gullies.

In addition, on steep slopes with only loose surface snow, keep an eye on your sluff, as usual. Also, don’t trust cornices. Always give them a wide berth and limit time under them

Wind effect on Pyramid Pk at Turnagain Pass. Soft snow can be found, but there is definitely a high degree of hard wind packed snow in the Alpine zones. 12.31.20. Photo: Peter Wadsworth

Old natural wind slab avalanche in one of the Seattle Ridge headwall chutes. 12.31.20.

Avalanche Problem 2
  • Deep Persistent Slabs
    Deep Persistent Slabs
  • Almost Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
    Likelihood
  • Historic (D4-5)
    Very Large (D3)
    Large (D2)
    Small (D1)
    Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

Likelihood of Avalanches
Terms such as "unlikely", "likely", and "certain" are used to define the scale, with the chance of triggering or observing avalanches increasing as we move up the scale. For our purposes, "Unlikely" means that few avalanches could be triggered in avalanche terrain and natural avalanches are not expected. "Certain" means that humans will be able to trigger avalanches on many slopes, and natural avalanches are expected.

Size of Avalanches
Avalanche size is defined by the largest potential avalanche, or expected range of sizes related to the problem in question. Assigned size is a qualitative estimate based on the destructive classification system and requires specialists to estimate the harm avalanches may cause to hypothetical objects located in the avalanche track (AAA 2016, CAA 2014). Under this schema, "Small" avalanches are not large enough to bury humans and are relatively harmless unless they carry people over cliffs or through trees or rocks. Moving up the scale, avalanches become "Large" enough to bury, injure, or kill people. "Very Large" avalanches may bury or destroy vehicles or houses, and "Historic" avalanches are massive events capable of altering the landscape.

Signal Word Size (D scale) Simple Descriptor
Small 1 Unlikely to bury a person
Large 2 Can bury a person
Very Large 3 Can destroy a house
Historic 4 & 5 Can destroy part or all of a village
More info at Avalanche.org

As we’ve been mentioning for several days now, at the mid elevations (1,000 – 2,500′) there is the old December 1st crust that continues to degrade. It is 3-5′ below the surface and between 1-4″ thick. It is slowly metamorphosing (changing) from a strong crust into a faceted weak layer and crust combination. This is happening quicker in some areas than others. For example, we’ve found it more concerning on the non-motorized side of Turnagain Pass and in Girdwood Valley. Just yesterday, this crust/facet combo was the culprit in another large 6′ deep explosive triggered avalanche in Girdwood Valley. Although it is still unlikely a person could trigger one of these large slabs at these mid-elevations, we need to keep it on our radar. Whumpfing will be a sure sign you’ve found some weak snow beneath your feet.

A lot of folks have been getting out in the Summit Lake region to the south of our forecast area. Here, not only is this December 1st crust/facet combo a concern, but other mid-pack weak layers and even the basal facets on the ground in the Alpine continue to show weaknesses. In general, the snowpack is thinner and weaker and along with other shallow zones (Silvertip for example) it is worth keeping these old weak layers in mind before pushing into bigger terrain.

Weather
Fri, January 1st, 2021

Yesterday:  Mostly sunny skies were over the region. Ridgetop winds were generally light from the east (5-10mph) with a few stronger gusts. Temperatures were inverted with the clear skies- teens in valley bottoms and parking lots, with mid/upper elevations being near 20-25F.

New Year’s Day:  Clear skies are on tap for the New Year. Ridgetop winds are expected to be light from the east (5-10mph). An inversion is in place this morning that should remain through the day- valley bottom temperatures are in the 10-15F range while mid and upper elevations are near 20F.

Tomorrow:  Another blue sky day is forecast for Saturday with light easterly ridgetop winds and temperatures in the teens. Sunday skies remain mostly clear and winds switch to a more off-shore northwesterly flow and we’ll be watching for any increase in them. The ‘record setting’ low pressure over the Aleutians will move into the Gulf sometime early/mid-week, stay tuned!

*Ridgetop weather stations stopped reporting at midnight. We are working to get them back on line asap.

PRECIPITATION 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

Temp Avg (F) Snow (in) Water (in) Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′) 24 0 0 76
Summit Lake (1400′) 18 0 0 31
Alyeska Mid (1700′) 24 0 0 80

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

Temp Avg (F) Wind Dir Wind Avg (mph) Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′) 20 NE 7 14
Seattle Ridge (2400′) 20 SE 5 11
Observations
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Riding Areas
Updated Sat, September 23rd, 2023

Status of riding areas across the Chugach NF is managed by the Glacier and Seward Ranger Districts, not avalanche center staff. Riding area information is posted as a public service to our users and updated based on snow depth and snow density to prevent resource damage at trailhead locations. Riding area questions contact: mailroom_r10_chugach@fs.fed.us

Area Status Weather & Riding Conditions
Glacier District
Johnson Pass
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Placer River
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Skookum Drainage
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Turnagain Pass
Closed
Scheduled opening on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving per Chugach National Forest plan. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Twentymile
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Seward District
Carter Lake
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Lost Lake Trail
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Primrose Trail
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Resurrection Pass Trail
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Snug Harbor
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
South Fork Snow River Corridor
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Summit Lake
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.

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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.