Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′ today. It is possible for a person to trigger an avalanche on a layer of facets buried 2-4′ deep. Wind slabs 2-3′ deep in areas exposed to strong NE winds are also possible for human triggering and most likely at upper elevations. Below 1000′ the avalanche danger is LOW.
SEWARD/LOST LAKE: The current NE outflow winds are favoring this area and it is more likely to find wind slab avalanches at upper elevations. Keep an eye out for signs of recent wind loading, shooting cracks, or hollow feeling snow to identify and avoid wind slabs, especially along ridgelines and cross loaded gullies.
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Active wind loading near Alyeska yesterday was producing large natural wind slab avalanches 2-3′ deep. Otherwise it has been about 9 days since we have observed avalanche activity on the layer of facets buried about 1.5-2′ deep.
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 |
It has been about 9 days since the last significant snowfall in our forecast region, but yesterday on Notch Mountain in Girdwood we were still able to trigger a large collapse in a weak layer of facets above the Thanksgiving melt freeze crust. This is pretty surprising since it has been a long time since that layer has been stressed with additional snow load and is an indication that human triggered avalanches 2-4′ deep are still possible on this persistent weak layer. The Girdwood valley and the southern end of Turnagain Pass seem to have weaker snowpack structure and be producing more concerning test results on the layer of facets compared to the rest of the forecast area. However, this weak layer exists across the forecast area.
Managing persistent slab avalanche problems requires patience and careful terrain management. These layers can easily last for weeks and even though the likelihood of triggering an avalanche is relatively low the consequences could be high because of the potential for triggering a very large avalanche. We recommend paying close attention for any collapses or whumphing in the area you are travelling and sticking to smaller terrain features and lower angle slopes. Remote triggering is also possible with persistent slabs, which means you can trigger an avalanche from low angle terrain adjacent to steeper slopes. Snowpit tests can be unreliable for deeply buried persistent weak layers, so just because you get no results from a stability test doesn’t mean there is no chance of triggering an avalanche.
Snowpack structure in the area where we triggered the collapse. A thick layer of facets about 1.5′ deep collapsed on top of the very strong layer of melt freeze crust. Photo 12.23.22
Spacing out on the uphill and only exposing 1 person at a time to avalanche terrain is a great way to mitigate the risk from persistent slab avalanches. Photo 12.23.22
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 |
Isolated portions of the forecast area are receiving strong NE outflow winds, with gusts reaching 50 mph at the Alyeska summit weather station yesterday and lots of active wind loading. These fresh wind slabs were releasing naturally yesterday and could be possible for a person to trigger 2-3′ deep today in areas that have received recent wind loading. Luckily our weather stations indicate that the winds did not impact the majority of the forecast region, but it is worth being aware of the potential for lingering wind slabs at upper elevations along ridgelines and cross loaded gullies.
Small wind slab on the SW aspect of Notch. Much larger wind slabs are possible at higher elevations where the wind transport was significant in some areas yesterday. Photo 12.23.22
Yesterday: Mostly cloudy with occasional periods of partly clear skies. Localized NE winds with averages of 15-20 mph and gusts to 50 mph in favored areas (Alyeska). Trace of new snow at several weather stations from the past 24 hours but no real accumulation. Temperatures decreased throughout the day starting in the teens Friday morning and dropping to single digits during the day.
Today: Partly clouds with temperatures remaining in the negative and positive single digits. Mostly light winds in the 0-10 mph range are expected but some areas may experience higher wind speeds based on the terrain channeling of the NE outflow winds. Yesterday areas around Alyeska and Seward were strongly favored with higher wind speeds. Those outflow winds should start to diminish during the day today.
Tomorrow: Our next storm system is expected to start on Sunday and bring significant snowfall to the forecast area, but there is still a fair bit of uncertainty in exact timing and snowfall totals. From Sunday morning to Monday morning 8-12″ of new snow is expected for Turnagain Pass and Girdwood with higher totals in coastal areas. The snow line is expected to move up to 1300′ on Sunday evening and Monday with rain expected below that elevation. Temperatures should increase into the 20s at upper elevations. Strong E winds will accompany the snowfall with averages of 20-30 mph and gusts of 50 mph. Snowfall is expected to continue through early next week.
PRECIPITATION 24-hour data (6am – 6am)
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Center Ridge (1880′) | 9 | trace | 0 | 39 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 1 | trace | 0 | NA |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 9 | trace | 0 | 38 |
Bear Valley – Portage (132′) | 12 | trace | 0 | – |
RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sunburst (3812′) | 2 | NE | 6 | 22 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 4 | NE | 3 | 14 |
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Backdoor | AAS-Level 1 1/27-1/30 |
01/28/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | Brooke Edwards |
01/28/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge | W Wagner |
01/28/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Common | Tony Naciuk |
01/27/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | John Sykes |
01/27/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Lynx Creek | Megan Guinn / W Wagner |
01/25/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Cornbiscuit | John Sykes Forecaster |
01/22/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan | Schauer/ Guinn |
01/21/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge | Elias Holt |
01/21/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Lynx drainage – avalanche | CNFAIC Staff |
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.