Turnagain Pass
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The general avalanche hazard is LOW in the majority of the forecast area. A thick crust is keeping the snow €œlocked up € in all but the highest elevation starting zones.
In high elevation steep terrain, the possibility exists for triggering an old wind slab or a deep slab avalanche. In these areas the avalanche hazard remains MODERATE.
A serious concern in the mountains around Eastern Turnagain Arm remains €œslide for life € conditions, especially in steep terrain below 3,500′. Slick hard crusts are making it very difficult to arrest a fall.
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Travel Advice | Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. | Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. | Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making essential. | Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. | Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain. |
Likelihood of Avalanches | Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. | Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. | Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. | Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. | Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. |
Avalanche Size and Distribution | Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. | Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. | Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. | Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. | Very large avalanches in many areas. |
In terrain above 3,500’, the last storm cycle laid down mostly snow (as opposed to rain). Terrain above this elevation is harboring old wind slabs up to a foot in depth. These slabs are resting on weak interfaces. It is on steep upper elevation leeward slopes where you are most likely to encounter unstable snow today. The likelihood of triggering an old wind slab is on the lower end of the scale but cannot be ruled out. If you were to trigger an old wind slab today and get knocked over or lose control, it would be very difficult to stop yourself. It is for this reason that it is worth avoiding steep (over 40 degree) upper elevation terrain.
Slabs 3-6 feet thick are sitting on weak snow near the ground in the upper elevations. It is less likely to trigger a deep slab today in comparison to a more shallow old wind slab. However, the possibility remains for triggering a slab that can pull out snow to the ground. Unlike the persistent (old) wind slab concern, deep slabs have the potential to move large volumes of snow and be unsurvivable. Avoiding likely trigger points, especially areas where slabs are thinner, will lower the likelihood of triggering a deep slab avalanche today.
In case you’re just tuning in, we have a very thick crust in the forecast area. This “bulletproof” crust exists on all aspects up to 3,500’ in elevation, and is over 2 feet thick in places. Travel in steep terrain warrants extra caution, as arresting a fall is very challenging at this time.
Expect all of these issues to remain until a shift in the weather pattern takes place and surface conditions change.
In the past 24 hours temperatures at the Sunburst Station at 3,812′ have averaged 21 F. Winds there have averaged 5 mph out of a variety of directions with gust to 21 mph. It has now been 8 days since any precipitation has fallen.
Today expect clear skies. Temps will be in the low to mid 20s F at ridge tops. Winds will be light, in the 5 to 10 mph range out of the North.
The long term outlook shows more of the same. An uptick in winds for tomorrow and a general cooling trend will continue as high pressure dominates much of the state.
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
10/27/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan | Michael Kerst |
10/21/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass Road Observation | Trevor Clayton |
10/19/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan – Below Todds Run | Andy Moderow |
10/18/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Taylor Pass | Eli Neuffer |
10/15/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Common | John Sykes Forecaster |
10/14/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan | CNFAC Staff |
05/13/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Eddie’s, Sunburst, Seattle, Cornbiscuit, Pete’s South | H Thamm |
05/13/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass non-motorized side | Amy Holman |
05/12/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Warm up Bowl | Tony Naciuk |
05/07/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass Wet Slabs | A S |
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