Sun, April 07, 2013 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Sun, April 7th, 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

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.

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

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
05/28/22	Turnagain	Avalanche: Turnagain Pass – late May wet slab cycle	CNFAIC Staff
05/21/22	Turnagain	Avalanche: Magnum, Lipps and Tincan	CNFAIC Staff
05/17/22	Turnagain	Avalanche: Sunburst	CNFAIC Staff
05/17/22	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan Ridge	Joe Kurtak
05/11/22	Turnagain	Avalanche: Cornbiscuit and Magnum west faces	CNFAIC Staff Forecaster
05/07/22	Turnagain	Observation: Granddaddy	Kit Barton
04/29/22	Turnagain	Observation: Sunburst wx station	AS/ MM/ AM/ NH
04/28/22	Turnagain	Observation: More Turnagain Pass/Summit Lake wet slab activity	Alex Marienthal
04/27/22	Turnagain	Observation: Magnum	Sykes / Buttrick Forecaster
04/27/22	Turnagain	Observation: Girdwood/Summit/Turnagain Road obs	A S

Riding Areas

Updated Wed, June 01st, 2022

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	Closed	Closed as of May 1 per Forest Plan.
Placer River	Closed	Closed as of April 25th due to insufficient snow coverage.
Skookum Drainage	Closed	Closed as of April 1st per Forest Plan.
Turnagain Pass	Closed	Closed as of June 1st.
Twentymile	Closed	Closed as of April 6th due to insufficient snow coverage.
Seward District
Carter Lake	Closed	Closed as of May 1 per Forest Plan.
Lost Lake Trail	Closed	Closed as of May 1 per Forest Plan.
Primrose Trail	Closed	Closed as of May 1 per Forest Plan.
Resurrection Pass Trail	Closed	Closed as of May 1 per Forest Plan.
Snug Harbor	Closed	Closed as of May 1 per Forest Plan.
South Fork Snow River Corridor	Closed	Closed as of May 1 per Forest Plan.
Summit Lake	Closed	Closed as of May 1 per Forest Plan.