Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast RSS

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ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Tue, December 31st, 2019 - 7:00AM
Expires
Wed, January 1st, 2020 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Ryan Van Luit
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′ today where natural avalanches are likely.  Warmer temperatures and steady winds have created dense slabs 1-3′ thick.  This slab sits atop a weak layer that could be easily triggered.  Wet avalanches below 2,500 are possible with rain expected to fall on snow today. The avalanche conditions warrant very careful terrain selection.  Below 1000′ the danger is MODERATE where an avalanche from above could send debris to sea level.

* Roof avalanches due to rain falling at sea level are likely. Pay attention to children, pets and where you park your car.  Move through these hazard areas swiftly.

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Tue, December 31st, 2019
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Considerable (3)
Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Considerable (3)
Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
Moderate (2)
Avalanche risk
Alpine
Above 2,500'		 Avalanche risk
Considerable (3)
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'		 Avalanche risk
Considerable (3)
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'		 Avalanche risk
Moderate (2)
Danger Scale:
No Rating (0)
Low (1)
Moderate (2)
Considerable (3)
High (4)
Extreme (5)
Avalanche Problem 1
  • Storm Slabs
    Storm Slabs
  • Almost Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
    Likelihood
  • Historic
    Very Large
    Large
    Small
    Size
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
Likelihood of Avalanches
Terms such as "unlikely", "likely", and "certain" are used to define the scale, with the chance of triggering or observing avalanches increasing as we move up the scale. For our purposes, "Unlikely" means that few avalanches could be triggered in avalanche terrain and natural avalanches are not expected. "Certain" means that humans will be able to trigger avalanches on many slopes, and natural avalanches are expected.
Size of Avalanches
Avalanche size is defined by the largest potential avalanche, or expected range of sizes related to the problem in question. Assigned size is a qualitative estimate based on the destructive classification system and requires specialists to estimate the harm avalanches may cause to hypothetical objects located in the avalanche track (AAA 2016, CAA 2014). Under this schema, "Small" avalanches are not large enough to bury humans and are relatively harmless unless they carry people over cliffs or through trees or rocks. Moving up the scale, avalanches become "Large" enough to bury, injure, or kill people. "Very Large" avalanches may bury or destroy vehicles or houses, and "Historic" avalanches are massive events capable of altering the landscape.

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
More info at Avalanche.org

Observers reported widespread whumpfing and shooting cracks yesterday. These are clear indicators that a cohesive slab is forming and our weak layers/s are susceptible to natural and human trigger.  In wind drifted areas, this slab could easily be 3′ thick or more.  On top of this, it’s forecast to rain up to 2500′ by mid day.  Human triggered storm slab and wind slab avalanches are likely, especially in steeper and unsupported terrain. These storm slabs could exist on all aspects.  Test pits are indicating weaknesses at recent storm snow interfaces as well as buried surface hoar from solstice.  Triggering an avalanche at one of these shallower layers could easily step down to trigger instability deeper within the snowpack.  Remain vigilant near convex rollovers, wind loaded areas, and near smaller features with terrain traps.

Cornices:  Wet snow and strong winds have further developed the cornices throughout the region. With relatively warm temperatures cornice failure can become easy to trigger.

65cm thick slab becoming cohesive after warming temperatures

 

Avalanche Problem 2
  • Wet Slab
    Wet Slab
  • Almost Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
    Likelihood
  • Historic
    Very Large
    Large
    Small
    Size
Wet Slab
Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.
Likelihood of Avalanches
Terms such as "unlikely", "likely", and "certain" are used to define the scale, with the chance of triggering or observing avalanches increasing as we move up the scale. For our purposes, "Unlikely" means that few avalanches could be triggered in avalanche terrain and natural avalanches are not expected. "Certain" means that humans will be able to trigger avalanches on many slopes, and natural avalanches are expected.
Size of Avalanches
Avalanche size is defined by the largest potential avalanche, or expected range of sizes related to the problem in question. Assigned size is a qualitative estimate based on the destructive classification system and requires specialists to estimate the harm avalanches may cause to hypothetical objects located in the avalanche track (AAA 2016, CAA 2014). Under this schema, "Small" avalanches are not large enough to bury humans and are relatively harmless unless they carry people over cliffs or through trees or rocks. Moving up the scale, avalanches become "Large" enough to bury, injure, or kill people. "Very Large" avalanches may bury or destroy vehicles or houses, and "Historic" avalanches are massive events capable of altering the landscape.

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
More info at Avalanche.org

Rain is forecast to fall possibly as high as 2500′  by mid-day.  If enough rain falls we could see wet avalanche activity, especially in steeper terrain.  Remain alert if the snow surface is particularly heavy, or you’re in an area where it’s raining,

Weather
Tue, December 31st, 2019

Yesterday: Cloudy skies and light snow and rain showers. Temperatures in the high 20°Fs at ridgetops and high 30°Fs at sea level.  Easterly winds 10-20 mph with gusts into the 40s. Temperatures increased overnight and rain/snowline was near 1500′.

Today: Cloudy skies today. Temperatures in the low 30°Fs with rain until later this evening when the temperatures drop below freezing and the rain turns to light snow with a chance of accumulation from 3-6″ near 1000′ .  Temperatures will likely range from 40°Fs at sea level to upper 20°Fs at ridgetops. Winds will be from the southeast at 30 to 40 mph, gusts to 60mph.

Tomorrow: The current storm will move out with mostly cloudy skies and light snow showers.  Temperatures will drop rapidly to near 20°F, low near 5°F and winds will be out of the southeast at 5 to 10 mph.

PRECIPITATION 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

Temp Avg (F) Snow (in) Water (in) Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′) 33 0 0 39
Summit Lake (1400′) 31 0 0.1 12
Alyeska Mid (1700′) 32 trace 0.1 38

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

Temp Avg (F) Wind Dir Wind Avg (mph) Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′) 24 ENE 17 44
Seattle Ridge (2400′) 27 N/A N/A N/A
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Riding Areas
Updated Thu, April 01st, 2021

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
Johnson Pass
Open
No parking in turnaround at end of the road near the outhouse.
Placer River
Open
Please do not ride along Railroad tracks. Cross tracks at 90 degree angle and clear the right of way.
Skookum Drainage
Closed
The Skookum Valley is closed to snowmachines. This closure occurs annually on April 1 as per the CNF Forest Plan.
Turnagain Pass
Open
Twentymile
Open
Please do not ride along Railroad tracks. Cross tracks at 90 degree angle and clear the right of way.
Seward District
Carter Lake
Open
Lost Lake Trail
Open
Primrose Trail
Open
Resurrection Pass Trail
Closed
Closed for the 2020/21 winter season.
Snug Harbor
Open
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Open
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Open

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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.

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