Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast RSS

Archives
ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Sun, December 22nd, 2013 - 7:00AM
Expires
Mon, December 23rd, 2013 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Wendy Wagner
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

There is an overall MODERATE avalanche danger today for triggering a slab avalanche 12-16″ deep. Natural avalanches are unlikely but human triggered avalanches are possible. Areas of most concern are steep slopes (over 35 degrees) at treeline and above.  

**CONSIDERABLE danger exists in areas with greater snow amounts (over 6″ of heavy snow) during the past 24-hours. Suspect areas are Girdwood and Portage Valleys. This means human triggered avalanches are likely on slopes over 35 degrees.  

Thanks to our sponsors!
Sun, December 22nd, 2013
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Moderate (2)
Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Moderate (2)
Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
Moderate (2)
Avalanche risk
Alpine
Above 2,500'		 Avalanche risk
Moderate (2)
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'		 Avalanche risk
Moderate (2)
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'		 Avalanche risk
Moderate (2)
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 had no reports of avalanche activity yesterday, however the visibility was poor and it looked as though most folks were staying in the trees and out of steep avalanche terrain.

Another small shot of precipitation has added 3-5″ of dense snow to our snowpack since Friday night and we have another 1-2″ possible for today. The new snow is sticking rather well to the surface but it’s the weak snow buried 12-16″ down that we are worried about. This new snow is not likely to be enough to overwhelm the buried weak layers but the added weight of a person could be. In fact, we know a person can overwhelm these weak layers by the widespread collapsing that continues at all aspects and elevations in the mountains. For a closer look at our weak foundation click this link and check out the video and see this report from the north side of the Pass.

For today, sticking to lower angle terrain, without steeper slopes above you, will be your best bet at avoiding a potential avalanche. 

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

Though the snow is heavy and wet at the parking lots on Turnagain Pass, it is dry at the upper elevations and able to be transported by the wind. Winds are forecast to shift and start bumping up from the Northwest by noon today and fresh wind slabs may start forming above treeline. This flow direction is prime for loading the Southeast face of Seattle Ridge – the slopes right above the motorized parking lot. By tonight the Northwest flow may reach over 50mph averages, so keep your eyes peeled in case the wind is ahead of schedule.

*Fresh wind slabs will have the potential to overload the weak snow deeper in the pack and larger and more dangerous avalanches could be triggered. Steer well away from any area with fresh wind deposited snow.

Weather
Sun, December 22nd, 2013

Yesterday we had light snowfall which turned to rain at sea level in the afternoon. We picked up around 3″ of heavy wet snow above 500′. Rain snow line was around 200′. Temperatures were in the mid 20’s at the ridgetop stations and low 30’s at sea level. Winds were blowing 10mph with gusts to 30mph from the East during the day and have dropped to ~5mph overnight.

During the past 36 hours precipitation totals: 3-5″  of heavy wet snow  (.3-.6 water equivalent).

It will start out as another soggy day today but cool down by this afternoon as the warm area of low pressure over us moves off to the East. We might pick up 1-2″ of snow as this system exits. Winds should shift to the North by mid-morning and increase to the 15-20mph range. With this we should see the temperature drop to the teens on the ridges and mid 20’s at sea level.  

On Monday skies should clear up and temperatures continue to drop back to the single digit range with the North flow. Another system looks to brush by us on Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Observations
Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass
Date Region Location Observer
01/15/21 Turnagain Observation: Sunburst Schauer/ Wunnicke Forecaster
01/13/21 Turnagain Observation: Tincan Johnston-Bloom / Moderow Forecaster
01/13/21 Turnagain Observation: Center Ridge Meadows Alaska Avalanche School Rec Level 1 Roberts
01/12/21 Turnagain Avalanche: Seattle Ridge/Center Ridge A Schauer Forecaster
01/11/21 Turnagain Observation: Tincan Trees Schauer/ Roberts Forecaster
01/10/21 Turnagain Observation: Center Ridge Meadows Alaska Avalanche School Pro 1 Course Latosuo
01/10/21 Turnagain Avalanche: Tincan trees Anonymous
01/09/21 Turnagain Observation: Johnson Pass Anonymous
01/08/21 Turnagain Observation: Sunburst meadow between Hemlocks Anonymous
01/08/21 Turnagain Avalanche: Seattle Ridge Wagner / Schauer
Riding Areas
Updated Tue, January 12th, 2021

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
No parking in turnaround at end of the road near the outhouse.
Placer River
Open
Early season conditions exist, including thin ice on rivers, swamps and lakes. Please do not ride along Railroad tracks. Cross tracks at 90 degree angle and clear the right of way.
Skookum Drainage
Open
Early season conditions exist, including thin ice on rivers, swamps and lakes. Please do not ride along Railroad tracks. Cross tracks at 90 degree angle and clear the right of way.
Turnagain Pass
Open
Twentymile
Closed
Seward District
Carter Lake
Open
Lost Lake Trail
Open
Primrose Trail
Open
Resurrection Pass Trail
Closed
Closed for the 2020/21 winter season.
Snug Harbor
Open
South Fork Snow River Corridor
Open
Summit Lake
Open

Subscribe to Turnagain Pass
Avalanche Forecast by Email

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.

Become a Member
If you think a public avalanche center is important please support our organization.
Donate Now
Need new gear?
Make a purchase from our Affiliate Partners and CNFAIC will receive a portion of the sales.
Shop Now