Mon, December 09, 2013 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Mon, December 9th, 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

Hazards associated with early season conditions continue to be the main problem to deal with in the mountains around eastern Turnagain Arm. Exposed rocks and a variable crust will make travel difficult in avalanche terrain today.

Snowpack Discussion
Over the weekend we followed the development of our newest crust on the surface. This thin crust exists at all elevations and in most areas has a layer of surface hoar sitting on top. While this crust/surface hoar combo is not dangerous now, it will have our attention when a slab forms on top of it in the future. Continue to check our observations page as we monitor the development of our snowpack.

Weather

Mon, December 9th, 2013

The ridge of high pressure that brought spring like weather to the mountains over the weekend is breaking down today. Ridge top temperatures are in the low twenties F this morning.

A weak disturbance associated with a low pressure system to the Southwest will bring the chance of some light flurries through the day. This will help to push the remaining areas of fog out of the lower elevations. Winds will be light out of the West and ridge top temps will reach into the mid to upper twenties F.

As this high pressure ridge breaks down a series of low pressure systems will brush by well to the South of the area over the next several days. This will translate to cooler temps, cloudy skies and low chance for precip until later in the week.

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
11/30/22	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan	John Sykes Forecaster
11/28/22	Turnagain	Observation: Pastoral	Schauer/ Wadsworth Forecaster
11/27/22	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan	Anonymous
11/26/22	Turnagain	Observation: Eddies	Schauer/ Cullen Forecaster
11/26/22	Turnagain	Observation: Eddies	Andy Moderow
11/26/22	Turnagain	Observation: Lipps	Big Ripper
11/25/22	Turnagain	Observation: Sunburst	Hannah Smith
11/25/22	Turnagain	Observation: Sunnyside / Seattle Ridge	Matti Silta
11/25/22	Turnagain	Observation: Sunburst	John Sykes Forecaster
11/25/22	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan Trees	Andy Moderow

Riding Areas

Updated Fri, December 02nd, 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	The Forest has issued a closure order due to inadequate snow cover for resource protection. Conditions will be monitored daily. Scheduled opening would have been Dec 1st.
Placer River	Closed	The Forest has issued a closure order due to inadequate snow cover for resource protection. Conditions will be monitored daily. Scheduled opening would have been Dec 1st.
Skookum Drainage	Closed	The Forest has issued a closure order due to inadequate snow cover for resource protection. Conditions will be monitored daily. Scheduled opening would have been Dec 1st.
Turnagain Pass	Closed	The Forest has issued a closure order for Turnagain Pass due to inadequate snow cover for resource protection. Conditions will be monitored daily. Between 14-16” of snow exists at the parking lot. The scheduled opening would have been the Wednesday before Thanksgiving per Forest Plan.
Twentymile	Closed	The Forest has issued a closure order due to inadequate snow cover for resource protection. Conditions will be monitored daily. Scheduled opening would have been Dec 1st.
Seward District
Carter Lake	Closed	The Forest has issued a closure order due to inadequate snow cover for resource protection. Conditions will be monitored daily. Scheduled opening would have been Dec 1st.
Lost Lake Trail	Closed	The Forest has issued a closure order due to inadequate snow cover for resource protection. Conditions will be monitored daily. Scheduled opening would have been Dec 1st.
Primrose Trail	Closed	The Forest has issued a closure order due to inadequate snow cover for resource protection. Conditions will be monitored daily. Scheduled opening would have been Dec 1st.
Resurrection Pass Trail	Closed	Closed to motorized use for the 2022/23 winter season per Forest Plan. Open next season.
Snug Harbor	Closed	The Forest has issued a closure order due to inadequate snow cover for resource protection. Conditions will be monitored daily. Scheduled opening would have been Dec 1st.
South Fork Snow River Corridor	Closed	The Forest has issued a closure order due to inadequate snow cover for resource protection. Conditions will be monitored daily. Scheduled opening would have been Dec 1st.
Summit Lake	Closed	The Forest has issued a closure order due to inadequate snow cover for resource protection. Conditions will be monitored daily. Scheduled opening would have been Dec 1st.