Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast RSS

Archives
ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Sun, April 7th, 2013 - 7:00AM
Expires
Mon, April 8th, 2013 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
John Fitzgerald
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

The avalanche hazard is LOW above and below treeline.   There exists the possibility of triggering shallow pockets of wind slab in upper elevation starting zones.   In those isolated locations the hazard will be MODERATE today.

Special Announcements

Are you going to Arctic Man this year?   Join Alaska Mining and Diving Supply, the Friends Group and CNFAIC Forecaster Graham Predeger for a free “Hoodoo Mountain Snowpack and Avalanche Assessment” field workshop on Wednesday afternoon!   Meet at the AMDS tent at 2PM for a fun and informative afternoon of snowpits and POW as we try to wrap our heads around what the primary avalanche concerns will be for the week!   Contact Graham at graham@chugachavalanche.org for more information.

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Sun, April 7th, 2013
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Low (1)
Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Low (1)
Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
Low (1)
Avalanche risk
Alpine
Above 2,500'		 Avalanche risk
Low (1)
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'		 Avalanche risk
Low (1)
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'		 Avalanche risk
Low (1)
Danger Scale:
No Rating (0)
Low (1)
Moderate (2)
Considerable (3)
High (4)
Extreme (5)
Avalanche Problem 1
  • Normal Caution
    Normal Caution
Normal Caution
Normal Caution means triggering an avalanche is unlikely but not impossible.
More info at Avalanche.org

The weather pattern over the past day has left Turnagain Pass with little to show for in the way of new snow.  Because of this and the current/forecasted weather, the snowpack is stable in most areas.  It’s important to remember that LOW hazard does not mean NO hazard.  While it would take an unusual event to produce an avalanche today, there are some issues to pay attention to:

Isolated pockets of wind slab.  The small amount of new snow that has fallen over the weekend sits on slick crusts on south aspects and surface hoar and facets on north aspects above ~3,500′.  With 2-3″ of new snow & moderate winds forecasted for today, expect pockets up to 6″ deep in leeward starting zones and above cross loaded gullies.  These slabs should not be a problem on their own, but could pose problems for people above terrain traps or in exposed terrain.

Cornices.  Keep your distance from cornices today.  Some of the largest avalanches we have seen in the region over the last month have been related to cornice fall.

Wet loose avalanches will be possible in the lower elevations as the temperatures rise.  These will be small in volume and more likely if the sun makes an apperance.

Weather
Sun, April 7th, 2013

The mountains around Eastern Turnagain arm picked up ~2-3″ of new snow over the past 24 hours.   Winds at the Sunburst weather station (3,812′) averaged 11 mph out of the SE.   Temperatures there averaged 16.8 degrees F.

Today expect a mix of sun and cloudy skies with another 2-3″ of snow possible.   Temperatures at 1,000′ will be in the low to mid 30s F.   Ridgetop winds will pick up slightly and blow 15mph out of the S.

The extended outlook calls for a continuation of unsettled weather as we head into the early part of the week.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wendy will issue the next advisory tomorrow morning, April 8th.

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Riding Areas
Updated Wed, December 01st, 2021

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
Open as of Dec 1st.
Placer River
Open
Open as of Dec 1st. Limited parking due to Portage curve construction.
Skookum Drainage
Open
Open as of Dec 1st. Limited parking due to Portage curve construction.
Turnagain Pass
Open
Open as of Saturday, Nov 27. Be aware of early season hazards (alders/creeks) and open water.
Twentymile
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.
Seward District
Carter Lake
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.
Lost Lake Trail
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.
Primrose Trail
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.
Resurrection Pass Trail
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.
Snug Harbor
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.
South Fork Snow River Corridor
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.
Summit Lake
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.

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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.

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