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
02/07/23	Turnagain	Observation: Seattle Ridge	Wagner / Keeler Forecaster
02/07/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Pete’s North	Megan Guinn
02/05/23	Turnagain	Observation: Rookie Hill	Tony Naciuk
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

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.