Turnagain Pass

Snow started falling yesterday afternoon and the region picked up 4-8″ of low density snow. Wind speeds also increased enough to transport snow at higher elevations in wind exposed terrain. Today expect small tender wind slabs just off of ridgelines and in cross-loaded gullies. The new snow fell covering the Solstice surface hoar. This sparkly snow grain now buried will likely become a layer of concern and will contribute to how touchy the fresh wind slabs are.  As you travel today look for cracking, be suspicious of loaded slopes and feel for hard over soft snow. If the slabs are stiff enough to support a person there may be some whumpfing as well.  This is a definite a sign of instability. Remember even a small slab can mean trouble in high consequence terrain.

Loose snow avalanches: In steep terrain that is protected from the wind, the new snow will increase the likelihood of sluffing. Observers prior to this quick shot of snow had already reported sluffs growing in size as surface snow became less cohesive with the cold temperatures.

Cornices:  An observer yesterday had some good insight into the cornice situation. “The cornices appear to be really precariously bonded.  They look as if they formed, then drooped but didn’t release… then a new cornice began to form above the old.  Really spooky looking and lots of tracks underneath them. With this wind they will get even worse.” Avoid travel on or underneath cornices. Watch for cornice crevasses and remember cornices can break much farther back than expected.

Sunburst weather station recording the northeast winds increasing yesterday and then decreased early this morning. 

The more folks traveled around the region to this weekend, the more glide cracks were reported. These are starting to open in common areas to travel through. Remember to avoid spending time underneath. Glide avalanches are very unpredictable and can release at anytime.

Back of Cornbiscuit on far left, Superbowl to right out of frame, 12.22.19. Photo: Eric Parsons

In the high Alpine, above 3,000′, we have been tracking a weak layer of snow sitting near the base of the snowpack.  This weak layer is buried anywhere from 1-6+ feet deep due to the variable wind loading during the December storm cycles. There has been a lingering concern a person could trigger a large avalanche if they hit the wrong spot. Data is pointing to this layer being dormant as this point. However, we will keep it on the radar especially in areas where the overall snowpack is shallower – towards the southern end of Turnagain Pass, in Summit Lake and in the Crow Pass terrain north of Girdwood.