Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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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.
Chugach State Park: Strong winds are impacting the Western Chugach mountains and Southcentral region-wide. An elevated avalanche hazard should be expected in areas seeing warm and stormy weather.
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 |
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
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 |
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,
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 |
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
05/21/22 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Magnum, Lipps and Tincan | CNFAIC Staff |
05/17/22 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Sunburst | CNFAIC Staff |
05/17/22 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Ridge | Joe Kurtak |
05/11/22 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Cornbiscuit and Magnum west faces | CNFAIC Staff Forecaster |
05/07/22 | Turnagain | Observation: Granddaddy | Kit Barton |
04/29/22 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst wx station | AS/ MM/ AM/ NH |
04/28/22 | Turnagain | Observation: More Turnagain Pass/Summit Lake wet slab activity | Alex Marienthal |
04/27/22 | Turnagain | Observation: Magnum | Sykes / Buttrick Forecaster |
04/27/22 | Turnagain | Observation: Girdwood/Summit/Turnagain Road obs | A S |
04/24/22 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge – large glide avalanche on Repeat Offender path | CNFAIC Staff Forecaster |
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.