Sat, December 28, 2013 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Sat, December 28th, 2013

Alpine
Above 2,500'

Moderate (2)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

Moderate (2)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

Moderate (2)

Alpine Above 2,500'		Moderate (2)
Treeline 1,000'-2,500'		Moderate (2)
Below Treeline Below 1,000'		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 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

While there have only been small amounts of occasional snowfall in the month of December, we continue to observe lingering instabilities in our snowpack. Collapsing has been occurring at all elevations for several weeks now. Snowpit results have shown that the potential still exists for skiers and snowmachiners to trigger avalanches in steep upper elevation terrain. This was the case in a skier triggered avalanche that occurred on December 26 (see photo below). Strong winds that cranked on December 23rd helped to create dense slabs that are sitting on weak snow in upper elevation starting zones. Avalanches of late have been sliding on weak snow just above a crust that was formed in early December.

It will be important to continue to treat steep slopes over 40 degrees with suspicion today.

Photo of a skier triggered slab avalanche that occured on December 26th. No one was injured in this avalanche. (See write up HERE)

Superbowl Av 12-26

Avalanche Problem 2

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

3-5” of new snow overnight combined with moderate to strong winds out of the East have created shallow pockets of wind slab in the higher elevations. While these slabs will be relatively small, they will be sensitive to the weight of a person or snowmachine. It is more likely to trigger a newly formed pocket of windslab compared to a deeper, older slab today. However, the potential exists for these smaller avalanches to trigger layers deeper in the snowpack. This 1-2 combo of fresh wind slabs and persistent slabs will make it critical to avoid steep starting zones in the higher elevations today.

Weather

Sat, December 28th, 2013

In the past 24 hour the mountains around Eastern Turnagain Arm have picked up 3-5 € of new snow with .2-.3 inches of water. Winds have increased overnight and have averaged 26 mph out of the East since 10pm at the Sunburst weather station. Temperatures have been on the rise as well with Seattle Ridge reading 25 F and Sunburst at 23 F at 6am.

Temperatures will continue to rise today into the upper 20s to low 30s F. Snow showers in the higher elevations will lay down another 1-2 € of snow today. Light rain and freezing rain will fall between sea level and 1,000′. Precipitation will taper off by early afternoon. Ridegtop winds will be out of the East and Southeast at 25-30mph.

The extended outlook is calling for generally dry conditions and mild temperatures over the next several days.

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
01/28/23	Turnagain	Observation: Sunburst	Brooke Edwards
01/28/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Seattle Ridge	W Wagner
01/27/23	Turnagain	Observation: Sunburst	John Sykes
01/27/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Lynx Creek	Megan Guinn / W Wagner
01/25/23	Turnagain	Observation: Cornbiscuit	John Sykes Forecaster
01/22/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan	Schauer/ Guinn
01/21/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Seattle Ridge	Elias Holt
01/21/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Lynx drainage – avalanche	CNFAIC Staff
01/21/23	Turnagain	Avalanche/People Involved: Warm up bowl (-1 bowl) avalanche	Anonymous
01/21/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Sunburst Ridge	Megan Guinn / W Wagner

Riding Areas

Updated Fri, January 06th, 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	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Placer River	Closed	Closed Jan 5th due to lack of snow (holiday storms rained away the snow at sea level).
Skookum Drainage	Closed	Closed Jan 5th due to lack of snow (holiday storms rained away the snow at sea level).
Turnagain Pass	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Twentymile	Closed	Closed Jan 5th due to lack of snow (holiday storms rained away the snow at sea level).
Seward District
Carter Lake	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Lost Lake Trail	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Primrose Trail	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Resurrection Pass Trail	Closed	Closed to motorized use for the 2022/23 winter season per Forest Plan. Open next season.
Snug Harbor	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
South Fork Snow River Corridor	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Summit Lake	Open	Opened Dec 13th.