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Good morning. This is Wendy Wagner with the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center on Monday, December 12th 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).
ANNOUNCEMNTS
There will no advisory issued tomorrow. The next advisory will be issued Wednesday, December 14th, at 7am.
Don’t miss Wednesday nights big double premiere and CNFAIC benefit!! “The Continuum” along with “One For the Road” will be playing at the Sitzmark Bar & Grill. More details are on our training and calendar page. Come on out!
BOTTOM LINE
There is a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger today for wind slab avalanches at all aspects and elevations. Wind loaded slopes, from hurricane force winds and intense snowfall yesterday, have not had time to adjust and human triggered avalanches are likely. High winds produce unusual loading patterns and create avalanche hazards in unexpected areas. Avoiding areas with wind drifted snow on steep slopes is advised. Also, watch for small fresh slabs to form as moderate westerly winds are forecast today.
AVALANCHE DISCUSSION
Yesterday’s storm rapidly intensified more than forecast. Along with that, the avalanche hazard increased more than forecast as well with a natural avalanche cycle likely occurring in the afternoon. Hurricane force winds hammered the mountains. Sunburst weather station set a record gust of 121mph. Details HERE. Snowfall rates intensified also with an estimated 24hour snow total between 20 and 30+ inches in the Turnagian Pass area (Girdwood looks to have seen slightly more with Summit Lake a bit less). As the storm tapers today, skies should break up enough to assess the damage.
Wind slab avalanches are the primary concern for today. With the uncertainty of how this quick and intense storm affected the snowpack, conservative backcountry travel is advised along with expert route finding skills. Keep in mind, unusual wind loading patterns can create avalanche hazards in unusual places. Slabs and drifts are likely to be quite deep and stiff at all aspects and elevations. Steering clear of wind loaded terrain will be prudent as the slabs could break above you, creating an unmanageable situation.
Though temperatures have cooled off, helping to lock the snow in place, don’t count on it yet. Additionally, a few inches of snow has fallen without much wind early this morning, dusting the wind hammered slopes. Watch for new fresh wind drifts today on scoured areas as the winds have now shifted around to the west and are forecast to be 30-40mph.
There remains faceted snow in the middle of the snowpack that may have been reactive with the significant added weight. A wind slab triggered today has the potential to ‘step’ down into the weaker faceted snow and produce a larger slide. This is most pronounced in steep terrain above treeline and in the Summit Lake area.
Tuesday’s Outlook
Primary concerns for Tuesday will remain similar to today. It will have been 48 hours after the storm and avalanche conditions will slowly improve as the snowpack has more time to adjust to the new load. Though no precipitation or significant wind is forecast at this time, if the weather does change, any new snow and wind will raise the avalanche hazard.
MOUNTAIN WEATHER
East winds tore through south central Alaska yesterday as a low pressure system in the Western Gulf rapidly intensified through the morning. Sunburst weather station (3800′) saw sustained wind speeds of 85 and 90mph during the early afternoon (Category 1 Hurricane). Snowfall rates also intensified during the afternoon, up to 5” per hour. Estimated storm totals this morning look to be: Turnagain Pass (1800′)- 25-30”, Girdwood valley (3000′)– 30-35” and Summit Lake (1400′) ~15”.
Today, snowfall should diminish, with a few inches falling this morning, and skies break up as the low pressure system heads out to the northeast. Winds have shifted to the northwest this morning and are expected to pick up into the 30-40mph range. Temperatures will begin to cool off through the day, to mid 20’s at 1000′ and around 20F at 3000′.
Tuesday’s weather looks to be relatively uneventful at this time. Light to moderate winds, no precipitation and dropping temperatures (into the teens) are expected for most locations above 1000′.
CNFAIC Weather Page and the NWS forecast
We will issue the next advisory Wednesday morning at 7am. If you get out in the backcountry we want to hear what you are seeing! Please send us your observations using the button on the right of this page or give us a call at 754-2369. Thanks and have a great day.
Travel Advice | Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. | Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. | Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making essential. | Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. | Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain. |
Likelihood of Avalanches | Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. | Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. | Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. | Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. | Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. |
Avalanche Size and Distribution | Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. | Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. | Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. | Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. | Very large avalanches in many areas. |
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
05/13/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Eddie’s, Sunburst, Seattle, Cornbiscuit, Pete’s South | H Thamm |
05/13/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass non-motorized side | Amy Holman |
05/12/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Warm up Bowl | Tony Naciuk |
05/07/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass Wet Slabs | A S |
04/29/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Turnagain aerial obs | Tully Hamer |
04/27/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Johnson Pass | Noah Mery |
04/23/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Sunny Side | Travis SMITH |
04/21/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Bertha Creek | Anonymous |
04/20/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Spokane Creek | Schauer/ Mailly Forecaster |
04/16/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Cornbiscuit | Krueger / Matthys Forecaster |
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