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ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Wed, January 29th, 2014 - 7:00AM
Expires
Thu, January 30th, 2014 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Graham Predeger
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE today above and below treeline.   The probability of natural avalanches is decreasing with time and a slow and steady fall in temperatures but human triggered wet slab avalanches are still likely today.   Weak snow near the ground is allowing any avalanche triggered to take out the entirety of the snowpack forming large and destructive wet slides that have the potential to travel well below tree line.  

In the upper elevations (above 4,000′) where snow has been falling in earnest over the last 2 weeks we have seen evidence of a deep slab problem.

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Wed, January 29th, 2014
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Considerable (3)
Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Considerable (3)
Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
Considerable (3)
Avalanche risk
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Avalanche risk
Considerable (3)
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Avalanche risk
Considerable (3)
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
Avalanche risk
Considerable (3)
Danger Scale:
No Rating (0)
Low (1)
Moderate (2)
Considerable (3)
High (4)
Extreme (5)
Avalanche Problem 1
  • Wet Loose
    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

Without any reported natural avalanche activity again yesterday we have reason to believe that after a solid 12 days of rain and unseasonably warm temperatures the snowpack is adapting to this new normal.  Natural avalanches will be less likely today but given the results from DOT and AKRR avalanche mitigation work along the Seward Highway yesterday, the faceted layer at the bottom of the snowpack is still proving to be quite reactive given the right (or large enough) trigger. 

We still need several days and nights in a row with below freezing temperatures to really lock up the snowpack in these mid-elevations (1800’ – 3500’) where the vast majority of avalanche activity has occurred during this warm-up. 

Below 1800’ our snowpack has literally deflated, losing perhaps 75% or more of its mass since January 15th due to rain and unseasonably warm temperatures.  When travelling through this elevation band, avoid avalanche runout zones such as funneled terrain.

Peterson Creek path @ MP 84. Helicopter bombing triggered wet slab avalanche running on basal facets.  Debris ran all the way to sea level even though the snow line is at approximately 1,000′.

Photo: Kevin Wright

Avalanche Problem 2
  • Deep Persistent Slabs
    Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slabs
Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.
More info at Avalanche.org

Broken skies yesterday gave us a few brief glimpses of the high peaks around the Girdwood Valley.  From the binoculars, winter appears to exist at these upper elevations (above about 4,000’) where the snow surface appears thick and plastered onto steep terrain in true Chugach fashion.  With evidence of a deep slab avalanche cycle over the weekend there is still reason to be suspect of high elevation terrain as the deep slab problem is not one to heal itself quickly.  If travelling into these upper elevations pay attention to what’s above you, including looming cornices which if released can act as a trigger large enough to initiate an avalanche.

Weather
Wed, January 29th, 2014

Over the last 24 hours temperatures have continued a slow and steady decline at ridgetop locations with both Seattle Ridge and Sunburst maintaining temperatures below 32 degrees.   Temps at sea level remained above average in the low to mid- 40’s.   Winds continued out of the east averaging around 20mph.   Precipitation was pretty limited with just a trace of rain and snow falling throughout the day.   Rain/ snow line was around 2,000′ yesterday.

Temperatures today look to be in the mid-30’s at 1,000′ cooling to mid to low 20’s at ridgetop locations.   We may see just a trace of precipitation today (with snow falling around 1,000′) as the current low pressure weakens and moves through our area.   Winds will continue from the southeast in the 17-31mph range.  

The trend for overnight and into tomorrow appears to be a building high pressure which should dry us out for a day or two though temperatures do not appear to drop dramatically.  

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Riding Areas
Updated Thu, June 01st, 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
Closed
Will close on June 1.
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.

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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.