Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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Yesterday snowed most of the day, with precipitation shutting off around 9pm last night. Up to a foot of new snow accumulated in some higher elevation areas with a moderate southeast wind. Above treeline a MODERATE avalanche danger can be found for wind slab created during the last 2 days. Pockets of unstable snow can be found today, but are generally isolated to wind loaded features.
Skiers and riders in the backcountry today should be wary of stiffer snow on steeper terrain. Non-wind affected areas will be less of a concern.
This Sunday is the 2nd ANNUAL CORN HARVEST – get it on your calendar now !! Come join the CNFAIC Friends and Forecasting staff on Turnagain Pass for FREE FOOD, games, prizes, etc. This is one way we would like to thank all of you for your dedication and support.
Nearly all the activity we’ve seen recently can be classified under wind slab. Fortunately everything we’ve seen has been low volume and isolated to small pockets. The photo below is from 2 days ago on Tincan.
Since we just got a significant additional load of new snow and wind, this concern is worse today. Snowfall was heavy enough yesterday to limit visibility and prevent anybody from getting above treeline. We haven’t seen firsthand the areas of highest concern, but we know it’s been snowing and blowing.
South facing slopes will add another layer of complexity. Multiple layers of buried sun crusts can be found on sunny aspects. We don’t know how those layers will react to the moderate additional snow load, but it’s worth considering that new snow doesn’t bond easily to slippery crusts. Stability aside, those crust layers may affect the quality of skiing and riding on south aspects.
In areas that were not wind affected we can expect loose snow to sluff easily in steep terrain. Anywhere the wind didn’t stiffen up the surface and slope angles exceed the mid 30 degrees you should expect snow to sluff and entrain volume on the way down. This could be a problem if surprised or in steep channeled terrain.
Snow totals for the last 24 hours
Turnagain Pass snotel – 8 inches
Alyeska midway – 10 inches
Summit lake mountains – 6 inches
Wind has been trending from the southeast in Turnagain Pass with variations depending on the location. Temperatures are warmer than they’ve been, producing mixed rain and snow at sea level. Above 1500 feet the snow is dry.
Today’s weather calls for scattered snow showers. The bulk of the precipitation has passed. Expect a slight cooling trend and a diminishing trend with the wind.
Wendy will issue the next advisory tomorrow morning, March 31st.
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
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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 |
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 |
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.