Tue, January 28, 2020 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Tue, January 28th, 2020

Alpine
Above 2,500'

Considerable (3)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

Moderate (2)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

Moderate (2)

Alpine Above 2,500'		Considerable (3)
Treeline 1,000'-2,500'		Moderate (2)
Below Treeline Below 1,000'		Moderate (2)

Danger Scale:

No Rating (0)

Low (1)

Moderate (2)

Considerable (3)

High (4)

Extreme (5)

Avalanche Problem 1

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

Our storm yesterday dropped more snow with more intensely than expected. Snow accumulations totaled 8-14″ at sea level and estimates of up to 18″ in the Alpine. We have more snow in the forecast over the next two days, potentially adding another 4 – 8″. Along with this new snow, we experienced winds in the 20mph range for several hours, easily capable of transporting the new snow. On top of our new snow and increase in wind, we saw a temperature spike of 25°F at some mid elevation stations.

The good news is that our concerns lay within the top 2′ of the snowpack.

In the Alpine and exposed areas near Treeline, we likely have wind slabs forming in the lee of ridges and cross loaded gullies. These wind slabs are relatively fresh and laying atop a faceted surface so could be touchy and likely for a human to trigger today as they adjust. Stay alert if you see freshly pillowed areas, areas with wind effected surfaces, and where the snow feels firmer or hollow.

Cornices: Cornices which have seen recent wind will likely be larger and more touchy than in previous days as they adjust to the additional load. Give them a wide margin.

Avalanche Problem 2

Storm Slabs
Almost Certain

Very Likely

Likely

Possible

Unlikely

Likelihood
Historic (D4-5)

Very Large (D3)

Large (D2)

Small (D1)

Size

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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

Size of Avalanches

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

At least 8-14″ of snow accumulated at all elevations. This storm snow sits atop a base of varying layers and is unlikely to have had the chance to bond well at the old snow/new snow interface. Additionally, with the temperature increase during the storm, there’s a good chance the new snow is consolidating enough to form slab character. Where this is the case, the snow could feel a bit heavier, or you could see cracks shooting out from ahead of you. Give extra caution on steeper slopes where you feel this distinct difference in density at the old/new interface.

The MLK Jr. storm (1/20) is now consolidated to about 5″ and has formed the first dense layer below our new snow. We should also keep our eye on the weak layer of facets immediately below this density as this could be a slab/weak layer combination of concern. Either way, our primary concerns lay within the top 2′ of the snowpack.

Weather

Tue, January 28th, 2020

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

Yesterday: Skies were cloudy with low visibility and intense snow until mid-day. Accumulation totals of 8″ – 12″ . Winds were easterly 10-15 mph with gusts into the 40’s. Temperatures rose into the single digits to low twenties.

Today: Cloudy skies today with snow flurries this afternoon accumulating to 1″ during the day and 4″ – 8″ overnight. Temperatures will range in the teens °F with winds 10-20 mph from the east, then switching from the north by this evening.

Tomorrow: More snow likely in the forecast for Wednesday. Temperatures increasing to range from the teens to low twenties °F. Winds will be out of the east from 5 to 10 mph.

	Temp Avg (F)	Snow (in)	Water (in)	Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′)	12	12	0.7	52
Summit Lake (1400′)	2	1	0.1	17
Alyeska Mid (1700′)	11	9	0.4	48

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

	Temp Avg (F)	Wind Dir	Wind Avg (mph)	Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′)	8	E	17	41
Seattle Ridge (2400′)	9	VAR	8	16

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
05/22/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan	Nick D'Alessio
05/12/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan, Sunburst, Magnum, Cornbiscuit	Heather Thamm
05/07/23	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan – Bear Tracks	CNFAIC Staff
05/05/23	Turnagain	Observation: Seattle Ridge	AS/ WW Forecaster
05/02/23	Turnagain	Observation: Cornbiscuit	Schauer/ Sturgess Forecaster
05/02/23	Turnagain	Observation: Seward Hwy Turnagain Pass	Joel Curtis
04/30/23	Turnagain	Observation: Magnum	Ayla, Kit Crosby, Barton
04/29/23	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan	John Sykes
04/28/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Taylor Pass/Pastoral	Schauer/ Creighton Forecaster
04/28/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan	Andy Moderow

Riding Areas

Updated Thu, June 01st, 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	Closed May 15.
Placer River	Closed	Closed May 15.
Skookum Drainage	Closed	Will close to motorized use on April 1, 2023 per the National Forest Plan.
Turnagain Pass	Closed	Will close on June 1.
Twentymile	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Seward District
Carter Lake	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Lost Lake Trail	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Primrose Trail	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Resurrection Pass Trail	Closed	Closed to motorized use for the 2022/23 winter season per Forest Plan. Open next season.
Snug Harbor	Closed	Extended opening until May 15.
South Fork Snow River Corridor	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Summit Lake	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.