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ARCHIVED - Forecasts expire after 24 hours.
Issued
Sun, February 16th, 2014 - 7:00AM
Expires
Mon, February 17th, 2014 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Wendy Wagner
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations and aspects. Above treeline persistent slab avalanches 2-3′ in depth will be possible to trigger on slopes where weak faceted snow sits above the late January crust. Additionally, triggering a wind slab 1-2′ thick will be possible on lee sides of ridgelines and areas with prior wind loading. Along with the slab avalanche potential just mentioned, sluffing should be expected in the steeper terrain as well as possible cornice falls on ridgelines.

Special Announcements

New snow over the past week is helping to rebuild the snowpack in areas that were showing bare ground after the January rain and warmth.   Motorized areas on the Chugach National Forest remain closed to avoid resource damage.   The good news is that we are getting closer to reopening these areas.   Check the bottom of the page for the latest updates as well as the  Chugach National Forest website.

Sun, February 16th, 2014
Alpine
Above 2,500'
2 - Moderate
Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
2 - Moderate
Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
2 - Moderate
Avalanche risk
0 - No Rating
1 - Low
2 - Moderate
3 - Considerable
4 - High
5 - Extreme
Avalanche risk Avalanche risk Avalanche risk Avalanche risk Avalanche risk
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.
Avalanche Problem 1
  • Persistent Slabs
    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

Yesterday’s avalanche activity:
There was one skier/snowboarder triggered wind slab avalanche just off of Tincan’s Hippy Bowl ridgeline (photo below). Additionally, we had reports of three skier triggered persistent slab avalanches in the Eddies area (reported to have failed in weak snow above the January crust). We did not hear from too many folks in other areas despite many parties out enjoying the top-notch powder conditions right now.   **UPDATED at 8:20am – one additional observation was just sent in of a remotely triggered slab in Seattle Creek.

Primary Concern:
Now that the majority of the storm snow from Valentine’s Day has settled out, the top 2-3′ of the snowpack is mostly right-side-up (stronger snow under weaker snow) and composed of all February’s storms. This would be great news if this layer did not rest on weak faceted snow with a uniform crust underneath – giving us a classic “persistent slab” problem. Katie Johnston (CNFAIC’s 2014 Intern) and I were out yesterday on Tincan and had one of the largest collapses I have felt – ever. We put a hole in the snow to investigate and sure enough, found a 2″ thick layer of facets to be the culprit – more details on this
HERE. Collapsing was also reported from Magnum yesterday in lower angle terrain.

The tricky part of our current persistent slab problem is we are not finding this weak layer of facets everywhere. Because of the variable distribution and lack of information in many areas, this slab/weak layer combo is guilty until proven innocent. These avalanches have been occurring in fairly small pockets so far but have the potential to be larger in bigger terrain. They also have the potential to be triggered remotely, from ridgelines or under slopes. Avoidance of steep (over 35 degree) upper elevation starting zones and cross loaded gullies will be the best management tactic related to the problem.


Our friends at the Utah Avalanche Center recently posted this great video on what a persistent slab problem is and why it can be so tricky. If you have 7 minutes it’s a great watch.

Avalanche Problem 2
  • Wind Slabs
    Wind Slabs
Wind Slabs
Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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

Lingering wind slabs formed by the bump in Easterly wind on Friday may still be found today. Additionally, there could be a few areas with recent wind loading from a slight bump in wind last night. Keep an eye out for any area with old or new wind deposited snow. These wind slabs are likely to be 1-2′ thick and predominantly on South and West aspects. They also have the potential to step-down and trigger a persistent slab which would create a larger and more dangerous avalanche.

Image: Human triggered wind slab off the Tincan ridgeline (3,400′ SW facing – estimated 6-24″ deep, 50′ wide and running 300′).
Human triggered wind slab off the Tincan ridgeline (3,400' SW facing).

Additional Concern
  • Cornice
    Cornice
Cornice
Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.
More info at Avalanche.org

Cornices have been building, and falling, with February’s stormy weather. One party saw a remote/natural cornice fall yesterday on the Magnum Ridge after another party walked by. This is good reminder to always give cornices a wide berth. Keep in mind they can also trigger an avalanche below.

Loose snow avalanches:
Sluffs are likely to be easily initiated in steep terrain at all elevations due to the loose surface snow and possible 1-3″ of new light snow today.

Weather
Sun, February 16th, 2014

During the past 24-hours we have seen partly cloudy skies with a few instability ‘snow’ showers. Around an inch of snow has accumulated since last night. Winds have been light to moderate from the East (average 10mph with gusts to 30mph). Temperatures have averaged around 10F at all elevations with valley bottoms dropping to the single digits this morning.

Today, another round of off-and-on light snow showers will be over us with 1-3″ of snow possible. We may get a bit of visibility if we are lucky. Winds will be in the 10-15mph range from an Easterly direction on the ridgetops and temperatures look to rise to the low teens at the mid elevations and to ~10F on ridgetops.

The showery pattern that has been over us for the past several days looks to continue through tomorrow and clear up with mostly sunny skies Tuesday.

Observations
Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass
Date Region Location
03/18/24 Turnagain Observation: Tincan
03/16/24 Turnagain Observation: Seattle Ridge front side
03/16/24 Turnagain Observation: TinCan Backdoor/ Center Ridge/ Sunburst Backdoor
03/16/24 Turnagain Observation: Turnagain Front Side
03/15/24 Turnagain Avalanche: Main Bowl
03/14/24 Turnagain Avalanche: Tincan
03/14/24 Turnagain Avalanche: Sunburst South Face
03/14/24 Turnagain Avalanche: Tincan common
03/14/24 Turnagain Avalanche: Seattle Ridge – avalanches on the front and back side
03/13/24 Turnagain Observation: Turnagain Flats
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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.