Fri, January 17, 2014 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Fri, January 17th, 2014

Alpine
Above 2,500'

High (4)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

High (4)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

High (4)

Alpine Above 2,500'		High (4)
Treeline 1,000'-2,500'		High (4)
Below Treeline Below 1,000'		High (4)

Danger Scale:

No Rating (0)

Low (1)

Moderate (2)

Considerable (3)

High (4)

Extreme (5)

Avalanche Problem 1

Wet Loose

Wet Loose

Wet Loose avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

More info at Avalanche.org

The already tenuous snowpack is receiving a significant shock to its system. Rain began falling up to 2,000’ overnight. Snow that has fallen since mid December has formed into slabs up to 3 feet in depth. That slab is now losing strength. As that slab loses strength it becomes much more likely for weak layers near the ground to awaken and release large avalanches. Expect entire slopes to avalanche.

Wet slab and wet loose avalanches are possible up to 3,000′ in elevation today.

Avalanche Problem 2

Storm Slabs

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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

Heavy wet snow combined with high winds in the upper elevations will create very unstable conditions within the new snow today. Freshly formed slabs up to 2 feet in depth will likely avalanche on their own. High winds will also help to build slabs in areas that don’t normally see much wind (e.g. below treeline and well below typical starting zones). These slabs have the potential to step down to older weak layers near the ground. Expect avalanches to pull out across large areas and run long distances.

Additional Concern

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

Weak layers that make up the bottom of the snowpack proved to be reactive yesterday. Both natural and remotely triggered avalanches were observed. Even if we took today’s weather out of the equation we would still have dangerous avalanche conditions. Given today’s weather, the likelihood of triggering an avalanche in these deeper weak layers is rapidly on the rise. Warm temperatures and rain up to 2,000 feet will help to activate these layers. Dangerous slabs up to 3 feet in depth are likely to take out large areas today.

Weather

Fri, January 17th, 2014

Red flags abound in the weather category today.

Temperatures (F) are first, with current temps (6am):
Center Ridge SNOTEL @ 1,880′: 35
Seattle Ridge @ 2,400′: 30
Sunburst @ 3,812′: 28

Center Ridge had a high overnight reading of 40 deg F. This is a 10 degree rise in 12 hours.

Precipitation:
It is currently raining at Center Ridge with .4 € of water over the past 8 hours, with slightly higher amounts in the Girdwood Valley (.5″ of H2O). This equates to roughly 5 € of new snow at ridge tops. This by itself is a modest amount of snowfall in starting zones. However, let’s take a look at winds.

Wind:
Sunburst averaging 62 mph out of the East. Gust to 105 mph.
Seattle averaging 48 mph out of the ESE. Gust to 82 mph.

Precipitation, temperature and winds are currently combining to create very unstable conditions.

Today expect as much as 12 € of new snow, with 2 € of snow water equivalent. Freezing level will climb up to ridge top elevation (3,000′). Ridge top winds will be strong all day, in the 65-70 mph range.

Winds and precipitation should taper off on Saturday. The pattern will remain active (continuation of precip) through the weekend and into the early part of next week.

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
05/22/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan	Nick D'Alessio
05/12/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan, Sunburst, Magnum, Cornbiscuit	Heather Thamm
05/07/23	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan – Bear Tracks	CNFAIC Staff
05/05/23	Turnagain	Observation: Seattle Ridge	AS/ WW Forecaster
05/02/23	Turnagain	Observation: Cornbiscuit	Schauer/ Sturgess Forecaster
05/02/23	Turnagain	Observation: Seward Hwy Turnagain Pass	Joel Curtis
04/30/23	Turnagain	Observation: Magnum	Ayla, Kit Crosby, Barton
04/29/23	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan	John Sykes
04/28/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Taylor Pass/Pastoral	Schauer/ Creighton Forecaster
04/28/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan	Andy Moderow

Riding Areas

Updated Mon, May 15th, 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	Closed	Closed May 15.
Placer River	Closed	Closed May 15.
Skookum Drainage	Closed	Will close to motorized use on April 1, 2023 per the National Forest Plan.
Turnagain Pass	Open	Chugach NF staff will be assessing daily after May 15th. Please keep machines on the snow and avoid brown spots to keep this area open as long as possible.
Twentymile	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Seward District
Carter Lake	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Lost Lake Trail	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Primrose Trail	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Resurrection Pass Trail	Closed	Closed to motorized use for the 2022/23 winter season per Forest Plan. Open next season.
Snug Harbor	Closed	Extended opening until May 15.
South Fork Snow River Corridor	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Summit Lake	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.