Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. Lingering wind slabs up to 2′ deep formed by yesterday’s strong winds will be possible for a person to trigger today. Deeper avalanches on buried weak layers up to 3′ deep are also possible at upper elevations. Below 1000′ the avalanche danger is LOW.
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The last known avalanche activity was after the last big snow load on Monday (12/26) or Tuesday (12/27). There were several large avalanches along Seattle Ridge, with most activity coming from the southern end of the ridgeline near Peak 4940′. On the skiers side of Turnagain Pass there was an avalanche at lower elevations on Magnum that also looked large enough to bury a person. See ob here for more details.
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 |
East winds averaging 20-30 mph with gusts to 45 mph were building fresh wind slabs up to 2′ deep at upper elevations throughout yesterday. These lingering wind slabs will mostly be an issue in the alpine today, but there is a chance there was enough wind and dry snow around the top of the treeline elevation band to form some wind slabs there as well. To identify wind slabs pay close attention to the snow surface to look for areas that have been recently loaded. Getting off the beaten track to feel the snow surface can be very helpful to get a sense for how the wind redeposited the surface snow in the area you are travelling. Wind slabs will be most likely along upper elevation ridgelines or gully features. In areas sheltered from the winds we still have little information about how the new snow is bonding to the old snow surface. Due to that uncertainty we recommend a conservative approach if you get into the mountains today.
Lingering wind slabs in the upper treeline and alpine elevations are the main concern today. With about 6″ of new snow on the surface at treeline on Wednesday we could see wind slabs up to 2′ deep. Photo 12.28.22
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 |
Above the rain line from the last storm (2500 – 3000′) buried persistent weak layers could still be an issue. Prior to the last storm we were seeing skier triggered collapsing on a layer of facets above the Thanksgiving melt freeze crust that was buried about 1.5′ deep. With the addition of the new storm snow that layer is likely closer to 3′ deep now and could produce very large avalanches. In addition, we had weak faceted snow on the surface prior to the last storm on Sunday and Monday that could cause lingering instability at the interface with the new storm snow at upper elevations.
Triggering an avalanche on a deeper persistent weak layer is most likely in areas with a thinner and weaker snowpack. So far this year these conditions have been most prominent in the Girdwood Valley and near the southern end of Turnagain Pass, but it is worthwhile to have this problem on your radar across the forecast region. We recommend paying close attention for any collapsing in the snowpack and taking the time to check the snowpack structure in the area you are travelling to see if this weak structure exists. The best way to mitigate the risk from persistent weak layers is to make conservative terrain choices by sticking to smaller features and lower slope angles.
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Yesterday: Moderate to strong E winds persisted throughout the daylight hours yesterday with averages in the 10-20 mph range and gusts up to 45 mph. Light snowfall in coastal areas with 1-2″ falling in Turnagain Pass. Temperatures remained warm, staying above freezing at sea level and just below freezing at about 1000′.
Today: One more day of weak low pressure before the next real storm system moves into the area on Saturday. Light snowfall in coastal areas is expected with minimal accumulation. Winds have decreased overnight and should stay light in the 0-10 mph range with gusts to 15 mph today. Temperatures will remain warm, in the mid thirties at sea level and in the upper to mid twenties at upper elevations. Mid to low level cloud cover is expected to persist throughout the day.
Tomorrow: Another warm storm system is expected to start impacting the forecast area on Saturday. Winds are expected to start ramping up Saturday morning with snowfall starting in the afternoon. Overnight Saturday and into Sunday morning looks like the most intense period of winds and snowfall, with wind speeds in the 35-55 mph range with stronger gusts. By Sunday morning about a foot of new snow is expected in Girdwood and Turnagain Pass areas with closer to two feet in coastal areas like Portage and Placer. Snow line is expected to be in the 500-800′ range on Saturday and then move up to 1000-1500′ on Sunday.
PRECIPITATION 24-hour data (6am – 6am)
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Center Ridge (1880′) | 31 | 1 | 0.1 | 41 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 32 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 31 | 1 | 0.05 | 37 |
Bear Valley – Portage (132′) | 37 | 0 | 0.4 | – |
RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sunburst (3812′) | 22 | ENE | 17 | 45 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 25 | SE | – | – |
*Seattle ridge anemometer looks like it rimed up at 2 pm on Thursday Dec 30th.
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 |
---|---|---|
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.