Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The avalanche hazard is CONSIDERABLE above and below treeline today, where new snow and winds continue to add stress to a potentially volatile snowpack. Human triggered avalanches are likely in steep wind loaded terrain. Natural avalanches are still possible. Conservative route finding will be critical in avoiding avalanches today.
From AKDOT:
There will be intermittent closures for avalanche hazard reduction work today between Bird and Portage, milepost 99-82. Motorists should expect delays of up to 45 minutes between 10am and 2pm.
Updates will be posted on the 511 system at:
Deep Slabs continue to be our biggest threat. With snowfall amounts moderating over the past several days, the undetectable nature of this problem has increased. However, moderate loading in the past 24 hours coupled with more precip forecasted for today, should increase the chances of pulling out one of these deadly slides. Large natural avalanches are still possible today, as we have seen a continuation of natural avalanche activity over the past several days. The challenge now is that many areas might be able to support the weight of potentially an entire group of skiers or snowmachiners. All it takes is finding the wrong spot (thinner parts of a slab) to create serious problems. Avoiding likely trigger points, slopes over 35 degrees, and big open terrain is the best way to tiptoe around this dangerous and persistent problem.
While 10″ of new snow is enough of a load to be a concern, the bonding of new storm snow to the surface has been good of late. Look for fresh new wind slabs to be reactive to the weight of a person or snowmachine today. While these slabs don’t carry the same consequences as a deep slab, they warrant attention, as they can entrain enough snow on their own to injure or bury a person. These wind slabs also have some potential, once released, to pull out deeper weak layers. Look for this problem to be more prevalent above treeline today.
In the past 24 hours Turnagain Pass has picked up 10″ of new snow with 1″ of water. Ridegtop winds have averaged 25 mph out of the East with gusts to 52. Temps at 3800 feet have averaged in the low 20s with freezing levels hovering between sea level and the 500 foot elevation.
A slow moving low pressure system over us today will produce up to 8″ of new snow, winds out of the East at 20-40 mph and temps at 1000′ around 30 degrees F.
The pattern of unsettled weather should continue later in the week, with a break in the action tomorrow and Wednesday.
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Wendy will issue the next advisory tomorrow morning, January 8th.
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
02/07/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Seattle Ridge | Wagner / Keeler Forecaster |
02/07/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Pete’s North | Megan Guinn |
02/05/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Rookie Hill | Tony Naciuk |
01/31/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Johnson Pass area | Megan Guinn / W Wagner Forecaster |
01/29/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Backdoor | AAS-Level 1 1/27-1/30 |
01/28/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | Brooke Edwards |
01/28/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge | W Wagner |
01/28/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Common | Tony Naciuk |
01/27/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | John Sykes |
01/27/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Lynx Creek | Megan Guinn / W Wagner |
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 |
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Glacier District |
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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.