Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Good morning. This is Kevin Wright with the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center on Friday, December 9th at 7am. This will serve as 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).

BOTTOM LINE

The avalanche hazard is diminishing to MODERATE today between snowfall events. Isolated pockets of windslab may be found in specific areas. Snowfall is expected to pick up again Saturday with blizzard conditions and significant wind.

AVALANCHE DISCUSSION

The primary concern today is isolated pockets of windslab that may be found near ridges at higher elevations. Watch for the wind loading patterns related to aspect and the shape of the mountain.

After the storm last weekend we had a quick spike in avalanche conditions with numerous natural avalanches. Since then the temperatures have dropped and generally locked the snowpack in tight. Yesterday we got a quick shot of new snow varying from 3-14 inches depending on location. This new snow has built stiff but shallow and isolated slabs in some areas. Those slabs don’t seem to be bonded well to the underlying snowpack quite yet.

The recent natural avalanches on Sunday were sometimes stepping down into the old faceted layers from November. Yesterday our test pits showed several suspect interfaces but only limited reactivity. These weak layers are showing moderate to high strength, with some clean shear planes, but low tendency to propagate. We will be monitoring these deeper weak layers for some time, but in the absence of recent snowfall they will be remain unlikely to trigger.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Yesterday the region got snowfall ranging from 3-14 inches. Today the weather will not contribute much to the avalanche conditions. A small amount of snow is possible with partial clearing at times. Temperatures will range from the teens to the high 20s. Wind will be light to moderate. The next major snowfall is expected Saturday, which will increase avalanche danger over the weekend.

If we get clear skies tomorrow morning watch for a full lunar eclipse around 5am.

CNFAIC Weather Page and the NWS forecast

I will issue the next advisory Saturday morning at 7am. If you get out in the backcountry we want to know what you are seeing. Please send us your observations using the button at the top of this page or give us a call at 754-2369. Thanks and have a great day.