Turnagain Pass RSS

Archives
ARCHIVED - Forecasts expire after 24 hours.
Issued
Sat, February 4th, 2023 - 7:00AM
Expires
Sun, February 5th, 2023 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
John Sykes
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

The avalanche danger remains MODERATE above 1000′. Large human triggered avalanches are possible on a buried weak layer of surface hoar 2-3′ deep. This layer exists across the forecast area and it is unpredictable where it can still produce avalanches. To avoid this problem we recommend sticking to lower angle terrain and being aware of any terrain traps below. Below 1000′ the avalanche danger is LOW. 

Special Announcements

Join us on Valentine’s Day (Feb 14th) for Snowball! Dance to lively music by the Jangle Bees, bid on the silent auction, and enjoy 49th State Brewing libations and decadent desserts. Bring your sweetie or your best backcountry partners—or find new ones on the dance floor. All proceeds from this event benefit the Friends of the Chugach Avalanche Center and the Alaska Avalanche School, so you can let loose knowing it’s for a great cause! Tickets are limited, so get yours soon. Click here for tickets and more information.

Sat, February 4th, 2023
Alpine
Above 2,500'
2 - Moderate
Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
2 - Moderate
Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
1 - Low
Avalanche risk
0 - No Rating
1 - Low
2 - Moderate
3 - Considerable
4 - High
5 - Extreme
Avalanche risk Avalanche risk Avalanche risk Avalanche risk Avalanche risk
Travel Advice Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making essential. Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain.
Likelihood of Avalanches Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.
Avalanche Size and Distribution Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. Very large avalanches in many areas.
Recent Avalanches

It has been about two weeks since the last string of human triggered avalanches on our weak layer of buried surface hoar from 1/10. This past weekend the warm temperatures caused widespread loose snow avalanches. Some of these loose snow avalanches triggered slabs, one of which released on buried surface hoar on Goat Mountain in Girdwood Valley. That is the last avalanche activity we know of in the forecast region.

Avalanche Problem 1
  • Persistent Slabs
    Persistent Slabs
  • Aspect/Elevation
  • Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
    Likelihood
  • Historic (D4-5)
    Very Large (D3)
    Large (D2)
    Small (D1)
    Size
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

Aspect/Elevation of the Avalanche Problem
Specialists develop a graphic representation of the potential distribution of a particular avalanche problem across the topography. This aspect/elevation rose is used to indicate where the particular avalanche problem is thought to exist on all elevation aspects. Areas where the avalanche problem is thought to exist are colored grey, and it is less likely to be encountered in areas colored white.

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

Another day of relatively calm weather in the forecast area with light snowfall (1-2″) and calm winds. Visibility will likely be the biggest challenge, with low elevation cloud cover expected to persist through most of the day before a brief clearing period this afternoon. Things will be changing tomorrow with strong winds and heavy snowfall expected, stay tuned!

Our primary avalanche concern continues to be a layer of surface hoar (1/10) buried 2-3′ deep that exists across the forecast area. Over the past two weeks this layer has been gradually gaining strength and we have seen less alarming results in our snow pit tests and much less avalanche activity. However, we call these ‘persistent slabs’ for a reason. It is still possible to trigger a large avalanche in areas where the surface hoar is well preserved. The most likely areas to trigger an avalanche are above 2000′ and in regions with a generally thinner and weaker snowpack where the weak layer is more accessible.

To avoid this avalanche problem we recommend sticking to lower angle terrain and being aware of any overhead avalanche terrain, especially if there are other groups travelling above you. Assessing this weak layer is getting more difficult as it gets older. It is harder to find in the snowpack (see photo below) and snow pit tests are less consistent. The best approach to identify and assess the weak layer is to dig a snow pit and use a compression test or extended column test to evaluate how reactive the weak layer is in your area. Unfortunately, even if you get stable results in a snowpit there is always some uncertainty with persistent weak layers. The only way to be sure to avoid this problem is to stick to mellow terrain.

In addition to our deeply buried weak layers, loose snow avalanches are possible in steeper terrain. We have had some incremental snowfall this weak that is adding up to enough volume where you could get a decent sluff moving in steeper terrain.

The 1/10 buried surface hoar layer near the crown of an avalanche that released naturally last weekend. Photo 2.2.23

Additional Concern
  • Deep Persistent Slabs
    Deep Persistent Slabs
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.
More info at Avalanche.org

The monster lurking near the base of the snowpack is still on our radar, even though it has been almost a month since the last activity on the Thanksgiving facet/crust layer which is now buried 4-8′ deep. We continue to see this layer in areas with a thinner snowpack, but it is unlikely to trigger an avalanche on it due to the strength of the snowpack above.

Weather
Sat, February 4th, 2023

Yesterday: Cloud cover was in and out yesterday, oscillating between obscured skies and mostly cloudy conditions. Winds were light with average speed of 0-10 mph at upper elevations and gusts to 15 mph. Temperatures were in the upper twenties at sea level to high teens at upper elevations. On and off snow showers provided an additional roughly 1-3″ of snowfall, however the SNOTEL sites are down as of 5 am on Feb 4th so we have no snowfall information from Turnagain Pass.

Today: Light snowfall is expected today with 1-3″ of accumulation expected. Girdwood and Portage area are expected to be favored over Turnagain Pass. Snow level will remain at sea level. Winds should remain light out of the south with averages of 0-10 mph. Thick cloud cover is forecast for the first half of the day, followed by mostly cloudy conditions in the afternoon.

Tomorrow: Winds are expected to pick up early Sunday morning and become strong throughout the day with averages of 40-60 mph and gusts of 75+ mph at upper elevations. Heavier snowfall is also expected to start on Sunday with 8-12″ expected by Monday morning and higher totals near Prince William Sound. Snow level should stay low at 100-200′ on Sunday and Monday.

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

Temp Avg (F) Snow (in) Water (in) Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′)
Summit Lake (1400′) ~2
Alyeska Mid (1700′) 24 2 0.17 64
Bear Valley – Portage (132′) 28 3 0.24

* SNOTEL sites across Alaska are not reporting data as of 5am Saturday, February 4th

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

Temp Avg (F) Wind Dir Wind Avg (mph) Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′) 18 E 4 16
Seattle Ridge (2400′) 20 E 1 6
Observations
Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass
Date Region Location
03/28/24 Turnagain Observation: Sunburst
03/27/24 Turnagain Observation: Tincan Trees
03/26/24 Turnagain Observation: Cornbiscuit
03/25/24 Turnagain Observation: Tincan
03/22/24 Turnagain Avalanche: Magnum Northwest Aspect
03/21/24 Turnagain Observation: Sunburst
03/21/24 Turnagain Observation: Tincan Proper North Aspect
03/20/24 Turnagain Avalanche: Seattle Creek Drainage
03/19/24 Turnagain Observation: Tincan CFR
03/18/24 Turnagain Avalanche: Tincan – Eddies – Seattle Ridge
Riding Areas

The riding areas page has moved. Please click here & update your bookmarks.


Subscribe to Turnagain Pass
Avalanche Forecast by Email

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.