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A storm system is currently bringing snow to Eastern Turnagain Arm. 4 inches have accumulated by 6am, and another 5-9 inches are forecasted through the daylight hours today.
Storm snow combined with wind and our old persistent slab problem may push us into CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger later today above treeline. Below treeline is expected to stay LOW to MODERATE without wind loading.
We can piece out the various avalanche problems today, but the overall concern is related to the snow since February 7th. This snow is still soft, but rests on a very hard crust layer and may not be bonded well to the crust.
There are still a few raffle tickets left for the February 21st drawing! Prizes include a day of Heli Skiing with Valdez Heli-Ski Guides and Alaska Airlines tickets among other great prizes from our sponsors! You can catch up with the Friends of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center at the Midnight Sun Brewing Company after 6PM this Friday and Sunday (14th and 16th) to pick up your ticket AND free swag!
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. |
We continue to document loose and very weak facets between the January melt/freeze crust and the February 7th storm snow. This layer was responsible for a number of small human triggered avalanches in the last week. It continues to be the most likely culprit for significant avalanche activity today, especially when combined with new snow and wind. Check out this observation for photos and snowpit data regarding the facet layer.
Avalanches witnessed on this layer have thus far maintained a consistent pattern with relatively small size (12-20″ deep), and lower volume. Keep in mind that bigger and steeper terrain will produce larger and more dangerous avalanches. With more snow and wind the depth of this slab layer will be reaching 24-30″ in wind loaded areas.
The 2 properties necessary to create this type of avalanche that are not always found –
1. A cohesive slab – some wind loading and stiffening is necessary to create connectivity of the surface snow, otherwise it’s just loose powder with sluff potential.
2. A faceted interface between the new snow (Feb 7th storm) and the underlying crust (January melt/freeze). In places where the facets are present, this is a significant weak layer consisting of loose sugary grains with poor bonding.
Yesterday afternoon we witnessed a very small natural avalanche occur during a short spell of wind. Our light dry snow on the ground is easily transported by wind and wind slab can build quickly with only moderate wind velocities. Additional storm snow by itself is probably not enough to be a significant avalanche problem, but combined with wind it will produce pockets of unstable snow.
Wind slab is expected to be isolated to higher elevations above treeline, and may not form if the wind stays light today.
Just a couple inches of snow had fallen yesterday before we got a clear break and periodic wind activity. Wind was reaching gusts to 52 mph and blowing snow around at ridgetop levels.
The large low pressure system over Kodiak is sending our region waves of cold precipitation today. As of this morning we have another 3-5 inches of snow on the ground and it is forecasted to continue through the end of Friday. Wind has backed off a little. Temperatures remain cold but are increasing slightly. Currently Center Ridge snotel is reading 11.5 degrees.
Unsettled storm patterns will continue through the weekend, originating from the low pressure system in the northwest gulf. We can expect more of the same weather for a few more days.
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
03/18/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan | jim sweeney |
03/16/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Seattle Ridge front side | Schauer/ Keeler Forecaster |
03/16/24 | Turnagain | Observation: TinCan Backdoor/ Center Ridge/ Sunburst Backdoor | AAS L1 Turnagain |
03/16/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Front Side | Troy Tempel |
03/15/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Main Bowl | Zach Alexakis |
03/14/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan | John Sykes Forecaster |
03/14/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Sunburst South Face | Billy Finley |
03/14/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan common | Elias Holt |
03/14/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge – avalanches on the front and back side | CNFAIC Staff |
03/13/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Flats | W Wagner Forecaster |
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