Fri, January 10, 2014 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Fri, January 10th, 2014

Alpine
Above 2,500'

Considerable (3)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

Moderate (2)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

Moderate (2)

Alpine Above 2,500'		Considerable (3)
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

It’s been 5 days since the last significant storm and subsequent avalanche cycle. In the time since this last storm the weak snowpack has been able to adjust to this newest load. Each day it becomes more difficult to trigger avalanches. The weak layers near the bottom of the snowpack have also slowly gained strength.

However, the problem has not gone away. Weak snow near the ground continues to show the potential to produce large avalanches. Potential slab depth ranges from 1 foot in the lower elevations to 3 feet near ridge lines.

The potential also exists for avalanches to propagate across entire slopes. Because of these factors, it is important to continue to treat all slopes, especially above 35 degrees, with suspicion. The obvious warning signs (recent avalanches, shooting cracks, collapsing) will potentially not show themselves. Now is a time when it is important to know what is below the surface. When entering avalanche terrain it is important to practice good travel habits; expose only one person at a time, stop in islands of safety, and communicate plans within your group.

Weather

Fri, January 10th, 2014

In the past 24 hours the mountains around Eastern Turnagain Arm have received a trace of new snow. Ridgetop winds have been light out of a variety of directions averaging 3mph with gusts to 11mph. Temperatures have been on a slight decline with current ridgetop stations reading 15-18 degrees F.

Today expect cloudy skies with occasional flurries. Winds will be light out of the NW at 5-10mph. Temperatures will warm into the high 20s F at 1,000′.

The long term outlook calls for a continuation of cloudy conditions with only light precipitation and a gradual cooling pattern. The next chance for more significant precipitation looks to be towards the middle of next week.

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
04/19/21	Turnagain	Avalanche: Triangle, Seattle creek	Will Morrison
04/18/21	Turnagain	Avalanche: Turnagain Pass Road Obs	Andy Moderow
04/18/21	Turnagain	Observation: Seattle Ridge, approximately 300 yards south of the up track	Brent Byrne
04/17/21	Turnagain	Avalanche: Road obs	Johnston-Bloom / Moderow Forecaster
04/16/21	Turnagain	Avalanche: Seattle Ridge	Wendy Wagner Forecaster
04/16/21	Turnagain	Avalanche: Turnagain Pass, non-motorized side seen from Seattle Ridge	CNFAIC Staff Forecaster
04/16/21	Turnagain	Observation: Sunburst	Lance breeding
04/15/21	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan	Schauer/ Rothman Forecaster
04/13/21	Turnagain	Observation: Turnagain Pass Road Obs	A Schauer Forecaster
04/12/21	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan	Johnston-Bloom / Latosuo Forecaster

Riding Areas

Updated Tue, April 20th, 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	Please do not ride along Railroad tracks. Cross tracks at 90 degree angle and clear the right of way.
Skookum Drainage	Closed	The Skookum Valley is closed to snowmachines. This closure occurs annually on April 1 as per the CNF Forest Plan.
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