Turnagain Pass
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The last couple days brought a refresh of snow to Turnagain Arm and increased the avalanche potential. Storm snow and high wind caused a spike in the danger yesterday. Since then the snowpack has had some time to adjust, but we can still expect the upper end of MODERATE danger above treeline where highest storm totals can be found along with a lot of wind loading from 100+mph wind 2 nights ago.
Given 1-2 feet of new snow in some areas, extra caution should be taken in the mountains today while the snowpack continues to adjust to that new load.
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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. |
The 2 day storm total has brought more than 2 feet of snow to upper elevations in the Girdwood valley (Alyeska). Turnagain Pass seems to have gotten about 75% of that amount. The storm was warmer than we’ve had recently with rain up to about 500 feet elevation. Areas below treeline will have denser snow, which dries out the higher you climb.
We have no reports of unusual avalanche activity from this storm. All reported avalanches yesterday were of predictable size and character corresponding to the storm event. Given warmer temperatures and a relatively strong and stable snowpack before the storm hit, our primary concern is the 1-2 feet of storm snow sliding at the new/old snow interface. This means we aren’t very concerned about deeper avalanches. It also means that we expect bonding to happen relatively quickly.
We are still within 24 hours of the storm event. Avalanche 101 protocol tells us that we are still in a higher probability time to trigger avalanches. Today there is plenty of moderate angle terrain to enjoy the new snow, but big gaming should be delayed another day or two to allow the new snow to settle out and stabilize.
Wind driven storm snow will be deepest on west and northwest aspects today with crossloading on north and south. Peak wind was 2 nights ago, corresponding with some of the highest intensity snowfall. Wind diminished yesterday but stayed strong enough to continue blowing snow around. Any avalanche found today will likely have a wind loaded component to it. Deeper and stiffer snow should be treated with more suspicion than soft and loose powder.
Cornices have been a big issue for us over the last several weeks, and given more snow and high wind we can expect larger and less stable cornices again this weekend.
2 day storm totals
Alyeska top – 28+ inches snow – 2.54 inches of water equivalent
Alyeska mid – 24 inches snow – 1.7 inches water equivalent
Turnagain Pass – 10-12 inches snow est – 0.8 inches water equivalent
Grandview – 0.6 inches water equivalent
Weather today will bring snow showers with 1-3 inches expected. As this storm system moves through the wind will continue to drop, and temperatures should decrease by a few degrees.
There is no sun in the forecast this weekend, but clear and colder weather is expected starting Monday.
Wendy will issue the next advisory on Sunday, March 10th.
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
10/27/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan | Michael Kerst |
10/21/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass Road Observation | Trevor Clayton |
10/19/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan – Below Todds Run | Andy Moderow |
10/18/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Taylor Pass | Eli Neuffer |
10/15/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Common | John Sykes Forecaster |
10/14/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan | CNFAC Staff |
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 |
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