Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE, and it is still possible to trigger an avalanche 1-2’ deep on steep, wind-loaded slopes. Moderate to strong winds will continue to create sensitive wind slabs on top of multiple buried layers of weak snow today. Since we are dealing with these persistent weak layers, it will also still be possible to trigger an avalanche on older wind slabs that have formed in the past few days. It will be important to avoid traveling on steep, wind-loaded terrain, which will have stiffer snow near the surface and may give you clear warning signs like shooting cracks or collapsing.
Placer Valley: A snowmachine triggered an avalanche at low elevation near the approach to Squirrel Flats (photo below). The avalanche was about 6-12″ deep, 75′ wide, and ran for about 100′.
Crescent Lake: A snowmachine triggered a small wind slab avalanche near Crescent lake.
Snowmachine-triggered avalanche near the Squirrel Flats uptrack. Photo: Travis Smith. 02.13.2021.
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 |
With moderate winds yesterday evening through this morning, it remains possible to trigger an avalanche 1-2’ deep in steep, wind-loaded terrain. Winds began picking up late yesterday, blowing 10-15 mph out of the east with gusts above 30 mph near ridgetops, and we are expecting to see sustained winds of 15-30 mph through most of the day. Today we will be dealing with several generations of wind slabs. The slabs that have formed since last night, and continue to develop during the day, will be the most sensitive and may be up to a foot thick. But there are also persistent weak layers of buried surface hoar and near-surface facets buried up to 2’ deep that may still be reactive to human triggers, where they are capped by new or old wind slabs. While these buried weak layers are slowly gaining strength with time, we still cannot rule them out.
For today, safe travel will mean staying diligent in identifying and avoiding steep, wind-loaded terrain. You can recognize fresh wind slabs where there is stiff snow at the surface, which may feel punchy or sound hollow. They may also have a smooth, rounded appearance that looks different from adjacent terrain. In some areas, older wind slabs may be covered by a few inches of light snow, which will make them a little bit harder to identify. If you notice any cracks shooting out from your snowmachine, skis, or snowboard, it is a sure sign that the snow beneath you is capable of producing an avalanche. The same can be said if you experience a collapse, or whumpf. You can often expect to see wind loading below cornices and ridgelines, in cross-loaded gullies, or below convexities.
Sluffs: There is (hopefully) still some terrain in our area that has remained sheltered from recent wind events. We have been getting reports of folks triggering dry loose avalanches (sluffs) in steep terrain with loose snow at the surface. Be aware of these, as they can become dangerous if they carry you down steep slopes and into terrain traps.
Cornices: With another windy day today, our large cornices will continue to get bigger. If you are traveling along ridges be sure to give them plenty of space, and minimize the amount of time you spend traveling below them.
Wind textures along the ridgeline of Pete’s North at about 2750′. 02.13.2021. Photo: CNFAIC
Glide cracks have opened up throughout the area. These avalanches are unpredictable and they are large since they involve the entire season’s snowpack. Avoid spending any time on or below slopes with glide cracks, as they can release unexpectedly. If you see any new glide activity, please let us know here.
Yesterday: Light easterly winds were blowing 5-10 mph for most of the day, before increasing to 10-15 mph in the late afternoon and overnight. Skies were clear, with morning temperatures near 0 F at the lower elevations, and highs temperatures reaching the low 20’s to mid 30’s F. Overnight low temperatures were in the low teens to low 20’s F.
Today: Easterly winds are expected to pick up to 15-30 mph at the ridgetops under mostly cloudy skies. High temperatures will be in the upper teens to mid 20’s F, and we might see a few snowflakes during the day.
Tomorrow: Low temperatures tonight will be in the low to mid teens F, with mostly cloudy skies and a possible trace of snow. Winds are expected to calm down, blowing 5-10 mph out of the east at the ridgetops. Highs tomorrow should be in the low to mid 20’s F.
PRECIPITATION 24-hour data (6am – 6am)
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Center Ridge (1880′) | 22 | 0 | 0 | 117 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 10 | 0 | 0 | 42 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 20 | 0 | 0 | 110 |
RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sunburst (3812′) | 18 | ENE | 9 | 32 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 21 | SE | 8 | 18 |
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 |
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 |
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Glacier District |
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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.