Sat, March 16, 2013 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Sat, March 16th, 2013

Alpine
Above 2,500'

Low (1)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

Low (1)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

Low (1)

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

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

Small pockets of wind slab were found occasionally yesterday from the 4-5 inches of new snow that fell on Thursday. Loose snow sluff in the non-wind affected snow was also common, but less of an issue if you use good sluff management technique. Wind slab is most likely found at higher elevations, below ridgetops, and in steep terrain. Both the slabs and the sluffs are shallow and low volume, so as avalanches by themselves they are not a huge concern. The bigger concern is related to the consequences of the terrain such as cliffs or no-fall zones.

Cornices remain a low probability but high consequence avalanche problem. These large overhanging features have the potential to produce the largest avalanches today. Choose your lines to avoid cornice exposure, and always give them a wide berth when traveling on ridge crests.

Avalanche Problem 2

Wet Loose

Wet Loose

Wet Loose avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

More info at Avalanche.org

It’s mid March already. The sun has some significant power that has already built a series of crusts on south facing slopes. As the temperatures rise this afternoon, wet loose snow may start to move at lower elevations on south exposures. Cold temperatures this morning may delay the wet cycle, and any cloud cover will also prevent the surface snow from warming.

Weather

Sat, March 16th, 2013

Yesterday was one of those perfect Alaska days. Today looks like more of the same. Temperatures are cold this morning, reaching negative temperatures in a few places. Most areas are comfortably in the teens. As soon as the sun hits we can expect rising temperatures for the rest of the day. Partly cloudy skies are forecasted. Wind should be almost non-existent.

We can expect a similar weather pattern for the rest of the week with no major storms on the horizon.

Wendy will issue the next advisory on Sunday, March 17th.

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
01/28/23	Turnagain	Observation: Sunburst	Brooke Edwards
01/28/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Seattle Ridge	W Wagner
01/27/23	Turnagain	Observation: Sunburst	John Sykes
01/27/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Lynx Creek	Megan Guinn / W Wagner
01/25/23	Turnagain	Observation: Cornbiscuit	John Sykes Forecaster
01/22/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan	Schauer/ Guinn
01/21/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Seattle Ridge	Elias Holt
01/21/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Lynx drainage – avalanche	CNFAIC Staff
01/21/23	Turnagain	Avalanche/People Involved: Warm up bowl (-1 bowl) avalanche	Anonymous
01/21/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Sunburst Ridge	Megan Guinn / W Wagner

Riding Areas

Updated Fri, January 06th, 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	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Placer River	Closed	Closed Jan 5th due to lack of snow (holiday storms rained away the snow at sea level).
Skookum Drainage	Closed	Closed Jan 5th due to lack of snow (holiday storms rained away the snow at sea level).
Turnagain Pass	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Twentymile	Closed	Closed Jan 5th due to lack of snow (holiday storms rained away the snow at sea level).
Seward District
Carter Lake	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Lost Lake Trail	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Primrose Trail	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Resurrection Pass Trail	Closed	Closed to motorized use for the 2022/23 winter season per Forest Plan. Open next season.
Snug Harbor	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
South Fork Snow River Corridor	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Summit Lake	Open	Opened Dec 13th.