Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The Bottom Line
The avalanche hazard is LOW today. Colder temperatures after several days of warm weather have helped to €œlock down € the surface of the snowpack. Below this firm surface is a shallow and weak snowpack that holds little potential for avalanche activity.
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.
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.
| Date | Region | Location | Observer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/22/21 | Turnagain | Observation: JOHNSON PASS | Anonymous |
| 01/20/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | Johnston-Bloom / Roberts Forecaster |
| 01/19/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Cornbiscuit | Schauer/ Johnston-Bloom Forecaster |
| 01/19/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Sunburst and Tincan | CNFAIC Staff |
| 01/19/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge | CNFAIC Staff |
| 01/19/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan 2900′ SW aspect below Hippy Bowl. | Kris Marshall |
| 01/18/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass Road Obs. | A Schauer Forecaster |
| 01/16/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan Trees | A Schauer Forecaster |
| 01/15/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | Schauer/ Wunnicke Forecaster |
| 01/13/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan | Johnston-Bloom / Moderow Forecaster |
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 | ||
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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.
