Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

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.

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.