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ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Sun, November 24th, 2013 - 7:00AM
Expires
Mon, November 25th, 2013 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Wendy Wagner
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

We have a MODERATE avalanche danger above treeline on all aspects today. Human triggered slab avalanches 6-20+” deep will be possible on slopes over 35 degrees. The shallower slabs will likely be fresh wind slabs created by today’s wind and few inches of snow. The thicker, and more dangerous yet harder to trigger, slabs will be those breaking in the old weak snow underneath the recent 12″ from Nov 21st.

Below treeline the danger is LOW  where a crust caps the snowpack.

The next advisory will be on Tuesday November 26th.  Tomorrow’s avalanche concerns will be similar to those today.  

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Sun, November 24th, 2013
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Moderate (2)
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
Moderate (2)
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
  • Persistent Slabs
    Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.
More info at Avalanche.org

We heard of one human triggered avalanche yesterday. This was in Turnagain Pass on a SSW facing slope of Sunburst. It was triggered by a skier that was ski cutting the slope. The avalanche ran to the valley floor – around 1,000ft. A photo of the crown is below. A few more details HERE.


                                                                                                                            Photo: Corky Still

It has been just over two days now since we received a foot of heavy snow on top of a 10″ thick layer of faceted snow. There was widespread avalanching during and right after the storm on Friday along with one skier triggered avalanche on Tincan. The culprit weak layer was the Nov 10 faceted snow. Facets are a common persistent weak layer and hence the use of the ‘persistent slab’ icon above. From the report on Sunburst, it sounds like this was a classic case of a wind slab over facets.

Image below is the Tincan skier triggered slide from Friday, Nov 22nd. (more details with the above link)

Though the snowpack is stabilizing, it is doing so slowly. The addition of 1-3″ of new snow should not tip the balance but any recent wind loading could. For anyone getting out today onto the steeper slopes, I’d suggest having your escape route planned in case the slab releases. Steering clear of any recent wind deposited snow will be a good bet as well. The poor structure is there in most locations above treeline – as you can see by the snow profile below – and though the slab is slowly deteriorating, making it harder to trigger, it is still there for now.

 

Avalanche Problem 2
  • Wind Slabs
    Wind Slabs
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
More info at Avalanche.org

Winds are slated to kick back up today from the east/southeast – blowing moderate (15-30mph). This, combined with a possible 3″ of new snow as well as existing snow to transport, should be enough factors to form fresh wind slabs. These likely will be shallow and sitting on a variety of surfaces. As always, be suspect of areas with wind deposited snow. These often have the tell-tale signs of a smooth rounded surface and hollow feeling. 

Weather
Sun, November 24th, 2013

A somewhat weak weather system will be moving over us today from the southeast. Cloud cover has set in and between a trace to an inch of snow has fallen as of 6am this morning. Temperatures have increased overnight with mountain tops approaching 20F and sea level areas are in the low 30’s. Winds have increased from the east/southeast and are blowing ~15mph with gusts to 30mph.  

Today we are expecting 1-3″ of light snow (up to .3″ water) above treeline. Temperatures should remain in the mid 20’s at treeline and winds continue to blow in the 15mph range with gusts to 30 from the east. Basically, a mild snow/weather day with limited visibility. A chance for freezing rain exists at sea level.

Monday, we should see skies clear up as we have a break between systems. Winds should continue from the east but settle down and temperatures remain mild in the 20’s.

Observations
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Riding Areas
Updated Mon, May 15th, 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
Closed
Closed May 15.
Placer River
Closed
Closed May 15.
Skookum Drainage
Closed
Will close to motorized use on April 1, 2023 per the National Forest Plan.
Turnagain Pass
Open
Chugach NF staff will be assessing daily after May 15th. Please keep machines on the snow and avoid brown spots to keep this area open as long as possible.
Twentymile
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Seward District
Carter Lake
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Lost Lake Trail
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Primrose Trail
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Resurrection Pass Trail
Closed
Closed to motorized use for the 2022/23 winter season per Forest Plan. Open next season.
Snug Harbor
Closed
Extended opening until May 15.
South Fork Snow River Corridor
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Summit Lake
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.

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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.