Sun, December 09, 2012 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Sun, December 9th, 2012

Alpine
Above 2,500'

Considerable (3)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

Considerable (3)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

Considerable (3)

Alpine Above 2,500'		Considerable (3)
Treeline 1,000'-2,500'		Considerable (3)
Below Treeline Below 1,000'		Considerable (3)

Danger Scale:

No Rating (0)

Low (1)

Moderate (2)

Considerable (3)

High (4)

Extreme (5)

Avalanche Problem 1

Wind Slabs

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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.

More info at Avalanche.org

High winds yesterday afternoon through midnight, sustained around 40mph with gusts over 70mph, raked the mountains, scouring windward slopes and depositing a combination of new snow and existing snow onto leeward slopes and catchment zones. Even the mid and lower elevation snow saw substantial wind transport. There was likely a peak in natural wind slab acivity and HIGH danger at the tail end of these strong winds overnight.

Wind slabs that were just starting to be formed yesterday were 4-10” thick, very sensitive and could be cracked out and released with the slightest touch. Because these slabs have formed on very weak sugary snow they are not likely to bond anytime soon.

Steering clear of ANY wind deposited snow on slopes over 30 degrees will be prudent. These areas may not be obvious as 1-3” of new snow forecast with little wind today could mask these monsters. Remotely triggering a slope (i.e., from below or a flat area) is possible. Collapsing and cracking should be widespread – if you are on a slope steep enough it will probably avalanche.

Avalanche Problem 2

Storm Slabs

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.

More info at Avalanche.org

Though the forecast for 2 feet of snow by this morning was a bust and yesterday evening’s quick and dirty onslaught was finished around midnight, the 8-12” of new dense snow above treeline is highly unstable. Not only did the storm come in cold and leave warm (creating an unstable upside down storm layer), it fell on extremely weak faceted snow – ball bearings – that will have little chance of allowing the new snow to stick to the sides of the mountains. Hence, areas lacking a wind slab will still be likely to avalanche with just the new layer of storm snow.

Weather

Sun, December 9th, 2012

Snowfall numbers (storm total as of 6am 12/9):
Turnagain Pass SNOTEL 1880′: 9 € snow, .7 € water
Summit Lake SNOTEL 1400′: 3 € snow, .3 € water
Alyeska mid mtn: 10 € snow, .8 € water (1.2 € water at 2800′)

The leading edge of the first “real” storm system for over a month moved through quickly yesterday evening with strong easterly winds (sustained 40mph, gusting 70’s) and heavy snowfall in Eastern Turnagain Arm. As the storm weakens today there is a chance for another 1-3 € as well as a few more inches for Monday. The easterly winds have decreased substantially since midnight and should be in the 10-20mph range on the ridgetops today. Temperatures around treeline increased from ~20F yesterday to the upper 20’s today where they should remain. There is a light rain/snow mix this morning at sea level along Turnagain arm with slippery roads.

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).

Kevin will issue the next advisory Monday morning, December 10th.

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
05/22/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan	Nick D'Alessio
05/12/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan, Sunburst, Magnum, Cornbiscuit	Heather Thamm
05/07/23	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan – Bear Tracks	CNFAIC Staff
05/05/23	Turnagain	Observation: Seattle Ridge	AS/ WW Forecaster
05/02/23	Turnagain	Observation: Cornbiscuit	Schauer/ Sturgess Forecaster
05/02/23	Turnagain	Observation: Seward Hwy Turnagain Pass	Joel Curtis
04/30/23	Turnagain	Observation: Magnum	Ayla, Kit Crosby, Barton
04/29/23	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan	John Sykes
04/28/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Taylor Pass/Pastoral	Schauer/ Creighton Forecaster
04/28/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan	Andy Moderow

Riding Areas

Updated Thu, June 01st, 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	Closed	Will close on June 1.
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.