Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The Bottom Line
The avalanche hazard is MODERATE above treeline today, where human triggered avalanches are possible, especially in wind loaded starting zones. Below treeline the hazard is LOW, where recent warm temps and subsequent freezing have helped to greatly minimize the likelihood of triggering avalanches.
Look for older wind slabs to be lingering in pockets above treeline today. Light to moderate winds will blow around a few inches of light density snow to also form new shallow wind slabs today. Yesterday my partner and I observed one small human triggered avalanche and one naturally triggered avalanche on the south side of Tincan ridge. The larger of these avalanches was big enough to injure or bury a person. While most of these wind slabs are isolated in their distribution, they can cause problems for people venturing into steep starting zones and above terrain traps such as cliffs, trees and gullies. Wind slabs can be detected by their look and feel; snow that looks smooth and rounded or feels hollow should be avoided.
The deep slab problem continues to plague us. While the likelihood of triggering an avalanche in old layers of snow at the base of the snowpack is low, the possibility remains. It has been 12 days since a deep slab avalanche has been reported in the backcountry. What is more important to remember is that the consequences of one of these avalanches are high for a person. The volume of these avalanches are typically enough to cause significant damage. We have been fortunate this season in two instances where people triggered very large avalanches in which no one was injured, buried or killed. Continuing to treat large steep open terrain with respect will help to avoid encountering this problem today.
The mountains around Eastern Turnagain Arm have picked up a trace of new snow overnight. Winds have been light out of the West. Freezing level has dropped down to sea level and ridgetop temps have averaged in the low 20s F.
Temperatures will be on the decrease through the day reaching the single digits by tonight. Winds will be out of the West averaging 10 mph with gusts to 25 mph. There is a slight chance of continued precip today, with accumulations of up to 1″. Any snowfall should taper off by midday.
Expect clear and cold weather this weekend, with temps remaining in the single digits at ridgetops . The next chance for snow around Turnagain Arm looks to be on Monday.
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Kevin will issue the next advisory tomorrow morning, January 26th.
| 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 | ||
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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.
