Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all aspects and slopes above 1,000′. At elevations above the surface crusts, watch for lingering wind slabs that could still be triggered on steep wind loaded slopes. Additionally, there remains a chance that a larger avalanche, breaking near the ground, could be triggered. Choose your steep terrain carefully and watch your partners.
Below 1000′ the avalanche danger is LOW.
SUMMIT LAKE: The snowpack is generally thinner and weaker in the Summit Lake region. In steep Alpine terrain it may be easier to trigger an avalanche on a mid-pack buried weak layer or near the ground. Extra caution is advised.
We had a few second hand reports of a skier triggered slab avalanche in the Tincan Proper area yesterday. The slide was triggered by the 2nd skier on the slope, who took a similar line to the first skier. It broke 3-6′ deep, a little bit below the ridge and in steep 45 degree terrain (seen in the photo below that was taken from the Sunburst ridge). The skier was able to escape being caught. It appears this avalanche could have broken in weak snow near the ground, making it more complicated than just a wind slab. We hope to gather more information today.
Skier triggered slab avalanche on the western rib of Tincan Proper. 12.3.20. Photo: Thomas Bailly
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 |
Although much of the snowpack is gaining strength with the cool temperatures after Wednesday’s warm and wet storm, there are still areas that are concerning for triggering an avalanche. These are steep wind loaded slopes and gullies in more complex terrain. Even more concerning are those places that are unsupported, meaning slopes that rollover into steeper terrain or cliff features. The avalanche that was triggered yesterday is an example of this type of terrain.
If you’re headed out today, at elevations above the ‘dust on crust’, be suspect of these steep wind loaded features, and cornices for that matter. As usual, watch for cracking and collapsing in the snow around you. However, not many signs of instability are likely to be present. In fact, it may not be the wind slab itself that is unstable anymore, but the weak older snow below it, creating for a bit of a tricky situation discussed below.
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 |
Unfortunately, we can’t quite forget about that old weak snow near the ground and the chance a person could trigger a large avalanche. The pummeling of the recent storms helped us out a lot, but there are still areas to be suspect of. These are not only wind loaded steep slopes, but thin areas in the snowpack and especially shallow snowpack zones, such as the south end of Turnagain Pass through Summit Lake. In these shallower snowpacks, it’s technically easier to trigger an avalanche breaking near the ground because our weight can better impact the weak layer.
Things to keep in mind:
This is a good time for us to remember our safe travel practices. One person on a slope at a time, really watch our partners, have escape zones planed along with safe zones to watch from.
Yesterday: Clearing skies and patches of valley fog covered the region yesterday. Winds were light from an easterly direction (0-10mph). Temperatures dropped off significantly during the day to the teens at the parking lots and single digits at 4,000′.
Today: Mostly clear skies with some patchy valley fog is expected again today. Winds are forecast to be light (5-10mph) from the east. Temperatures are chilly, in the teens at 1,000′ and single digits along ridgetops.
Tomorrow: One last day of clear skies, light winds and cool temps will be over us tomorrow before another round of storms and precipitation moves in for Sunday. This next storm cycle is looking to remain cold enough for snow to sea level, at this point anyhow. We could see another foot or more by Tuesday. Stay tuned!
PRECIPITATION 24-hour data (6am – 6am)
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Center Ridge (1880′) | 17 | 0 | 0 | 57 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 9 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 18 | 0 | 0 | 58 |
RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sunburst (3812′) | 9 | E | 4 | 12 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 13 | SE | 3 | 10 |
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.