Tue, December 03, 2013 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Tue, December 3rd, 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

There is little to report from the backcountry avalanche-wise. The last avalanche activity seen was a small wind slab cycle on Nov 27th. These old and stubborn wind slabs are sitting on faceted snow and littered about the mountains. If you are traveling in steep terrain there is a chance you may be able to pop one of these off, most likely in a steep rocky area with no support for the slab from below. Though I think you’d have to try pretty hard to do this.

In general, the snowpack continues its weakening process under the clear skies. Despite the significant warming at the upper elevations yesterday, the snow remains cold, dry and faceted.

Average snowpack depths:
Above treeline, 15-30″
Below treeline, 12-15″

All that said, the real “Primary Concern” is hitting rocks. Below is a core shot to my partner’s ski yesterday – ouch.

Weather

Tue, December 3rd, 2013

A significant warm-up has been seen over the past 24 hours at the mid and upper elevations. This is due to a warm air mass that moved over us from the north and west. Check out the temperature trace at the Sunburst weather station – a downright balmy 38 degrees mid-day yesterday! The warm-up, however, is slow to reach the lower elevations which still sit in the single digits F. Winds have been light, 5-10mph, and variable to westerly on the ridge tops. Skies have remained clear.

A mild day is in store for today. Winds are forecast to make a shift to the south and remain light. Temperatures will be in the 20’sF to low 30’s in the mid and upper elevations while those at sea level rise into the upper teens to 20’s. Skies should remain clear with some thin high clouds in places.

Looking forward: the storm system that models were showing to move into Southcentral Alaska on Thursday is now looking to stay to our west. If this verifies, our next chance for snow is on the distant horizon.

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
05/22/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan	Nick D'Alessio
05/12/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan, Sunburst, Magnum, Cornbiscuit	Heather Thamm
05/07/23	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan – Bear Tracks	CNFAIC Staff
05/05/23	Turnagain	Observation: Seattle Ridge	AS/ WW Forecaster
05/02/23	Turnagain	Observation: Cornbiscuit	Schauer/ Sturgess Forecaster
05/02/23	Turnagain	Observation: Seward Hwy Turnagain Pass	Joel Curtis
04/30/23	Turnagain	Observation: Magnum	Ayla, Kit Crosby, Barton
04/29/23	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan	John Sykes
04/28/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Taylor Pass/Pastoral	Schauer/ Creighton Forecaster
04/28/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan	Andy Moderow

Riding Areas

Updated Thu, June 01st, 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	Closed	Will close on June 1.
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.