Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
|
![]() ![]() |
A short break in stormy weather gave us a good look around the mountains yesterday. Widespread natural avalanche activity confirmed the avalanche warnings we’ve been issuing most of the week. Today, another storm is starting to hit us, bringing us into another upswing in the avalanche danger. HIGH avalanche danger can be found on most aspects and elevations today due to new snow, high wind, and rising temperatures. Travel is not recommended in avalanche terrain or anywhere in a potential runout zone.
This photo of Eddies from yesterday illustrates the problem we are dealing with. Similar avalanches may be triggered by skiers or snowmachiners today. The 3-4 foot depth will be dangerous and unmanageable.
Wind is cranking at ridge tops this morning. All the new snow from earlier in the week will be loading the lee slopes to failure today. Natural avalanches are expected in wind loading terrain.
Early this morning we’ve seen 4 hours of 1 inch per hour snowfall and wind speeds averaging 31-62mph overnight. Wind slabs are forming, and they may step down into deeper layers 3-4 feet deep.
The deep slab on top of extremely weak faceted snow is a dangerous combination this weekend. The photo of Eddies above gives a good perspective of the deep slab problem. A lot of people consider Eddies to be appropriate “storm day” skiing on days with elevated avalanche hazard. Unfortunately, right now even smaller lower angle slopes are avalanching in a deep and dangerous way. Very conservative terrain management this week has kept everyone safe so far. With continued stormy weather, that mandate continues for at least the next few days.
3-4 feet of new snow this week already caused a lot of natural avalanche activity. Another wave of precipitation is reaching us this morning combined with high wind. Temperatures are also warming higher than we’ve seen in a month, bringing the rain/snow line to 800 feet.
Precipitation today is expected to taper off this morning, but wind reaching 80mph+ will be enough to increase avalanche activity. Tonight and tomorrow the snowfall is expected to pick up.
Wendy will issue the next advisory Sunday morning December 30th.
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 |
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 |
Subscribe to Turnagain Pass
Avalanche Forecast by Email
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.