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ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Mon, November 14th, 2011 - 7:00AM
Expires
Tue, November 15th, 2011 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Wendy Wagner
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

Good morning, this is Wendy Wagner with the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center on Monday, November 14th at 7am. This will serve as a general backcountry avalanche advisory issued for Turnagain Arm with Turnagain Pass as the core advisory area (this does not apply to highways, railroads, or operating ski areas).

Our next advisory will be issued Wednesday November 16th at 7am. In the meantime, keep checking our photos/observations page for new submissions.

AVALANCHE DISCUSSION

The glide avalanche problem perseveres. Over the past 7 days, 5 days have had documented glide avalanche occurrences, in many cases more than one per day. To date, two separate touring parties have had ‘too close for comfort’ calls with these creatures. Those accounts are HERE and HERE.

The fact is, these glide avalanches are releasing where we are recreating, and releasing spontaneously. Many folks have been enjoying our great early season snowpack, yet being in the wrong place at the wrong time could have very high consequences. Be aware of what is above and near you and limit exposure to suspect areas such as runout zones and cracks. Though not all glide cracks fully release and avalanche, there is no way of knowing which will and which will not. Furthermore, a glide can release without a visible crack present. Hence, all cracks and suspect areas (i.e., broad slopes, shoulders and rollovers above gullies) should be respected.

As far as the layering in the snowpack, the new snow from over the weekend has bonded well with the old snow surface. Generally speaking, the pack in the Turnagain area has a ‘right side up’ structure. This is good news, however, watch for lingering pockets of wind drifts and wind slabs. These will likely still be possible to trigger off ridgelines, over rollovers and near gullies.

For Tuesday, the avalanche conditions are trending the same.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER ROUNDUP

The winds that blew over our region yesterday were best represented by the Seattle Ridge weather station. Gusts well over 40mph were seen in many locations and the upper elevation exposed slopes are severely wind damaged. Temperatures slowly dropped throughout the day and are currently sitting at 7F on the Sunburst Ridge (3812′) and 15F on Center Ridge (1880′) this morning. Today, one last weather disturbance moves through from the west that will bring a chance for a trace of snow, moderate NW winds and reasonable temperatures. On its heels, a ridge of high pressure will build in Tuesday giving us clear skies and sending even colder air our way. Temperatures will be in the single digits for mid-week.

CNFAIC Weather Page and the NWS forecast

For those who need a distraction at the office chutes: Alan Jones, avalanche expert, discusses glide avalanche processes

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are in the season of Fireside Chats, free avalanche awareness talks from your local avalanche center. Show up on Wednesday nights at 7pm at the Forest Service Ranger Station in Girdwood. More details are on our training and calendar page.

Kevin will issue the next advisory Wednesday morning at 7am. If you get out in the backcountry give us a call at 754-2369 or send us your observations using the button at the top of this page. Thanks and have a great day.

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Mon, November 14th, 2011
Alpine
Above 2,500'
No Rating (0)
Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
No Rating (0)
Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
No Rating (0)
Avalanche risk
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Avalanche risk
No Rating (0)
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Avalanche risk
No Rating (0)
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
Avalanche risk
No Rating (0)
Danger Scale:
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Low (1)
Moderate (2)
Considerable (3)
High (4)
Extreme (5)
Observations
Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass
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Riding Areas
Updated Mon, May 15th, 2023

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
Closed
Closed May 15.
Placer River
Closed
Closed May 15.
Skookum Drainage
Closed
Will close to motorized use on April 1, 2023 per the National Forest Plan.
Turnagain Pass
Open
Chugach NF staff will be assessing daily after May 15th. Please keep machines on the snow and avoid brown spots to keep this area open as long as possible.
Twentymile
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Seward District
Carter Lake
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Lost Lake Trail
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Primrose Trail
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Resurrection Pass Trail
Closed
Closed to motorized use for the 2022/23 winter season per Forest Plan. Open next season.
Snug Harbor
Closed
Extended opening until May 15.
South Fork Snow River Corridor
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Summit Lake
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.

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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.