Fri, February 28, 2014 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Fri, February 28th, 2014

Alpine

Above 2,500'

2 - Moderate

Treeline

1,000'-2,500'

2 - Moderate

Below Treeline

Below 1,000'

2 - Moderate

0 - No Rating

1 - Low

2 - Moderate

3 - Considerable

4 - High

5 - Extreme


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

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

Another day of above freezing temperatures will keep the likelihood for wet loose avalanches on the high end of the scale. Terrain above 40 degrees at all elevations holds the potential for humans to easily trigger slow moving wet sluffs. On their own, these avalanches will not have quite enough volume to bury a person. That all changes if you are carried through trees, over cliff bands or into gullies & depressions. Be aware of and learn how to recognize terrain traps. Traveling in big terrain where multiple paths converge is another area where the volume of wet loose avalanches can and will increase. Avoiding being on or in the runout of steep slopes in cirques and bowls will minimize your exposure to more dangerous (higher volume) wet loose avalanches today.

While it has been warm lately, we have not seen any wet slab activity. A lack of water moving into deeper weak layers in the snowpack has helped to prevent these more dangerous types of avalanches from occurring. While this has been the case, the possibility still remains for wet slab avalanches, up to 3’ in depth, to pull out in steep terrain. Steep sunlit slopes and areas where the overall snowpack is thinner are spots to avoid today.

Avalanche Problem 2

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

Snow and wind has helped to build up cornices over the past month. Warm temps and sunshine today will warrant the need to steer clear of cornices. It is always worth staying off of these behemoths. Knowing where the snow connects to the underlying terrain is important in being able to effectively avoid punching through or triggering a cornice onto an underlying slope.

Weather

Fri, February 28th, 2014

Temperatures over the past 24 hours have dipped slightly but still remain warm.

Seattle Ridge (2,400′) at 6am: 32 F Sunburst (3,812′) at 6am: 30 F
Seattle Ridge max 24 hr temp: 40 F Sunburst max 24 hr temp: 39 F

Winds at Sunburst have been light mainly out of the East. No measurable precipitation fell, though light rain was observed during the day yesterday.

Today expect an occasional light rain shower in the morning with clearing skies as the day progresses. Temps at 1,000′ will be in the high 30s F. Winds will be very light out of the Southeast.

The extended outlook is calling for clear skies and gradually cooling temps as we head into the weekend. The next chance for snow looks to be in the early part of next week.

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
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
04/29/24	Turnagain	Avalanche: Turnagain aerial obs	Tully Hamer
04/27/24	Turnagain	Observation: Johnson Pass	Noah Mery
04/23/24	Turnagain	Observation: Turnagain Sunny Side	Travis SMITH
04/21/24	Turnagain	Observation: Bertha Creek	Anonymous
04/20/24	Turnagain	Avalanche: Spokane Creek	Schauer/ Mailly Forecaster
04/16/24	Turnagain	Observation: Cornbiscuit	Krueger / Matthys Forecaster

Riding Areas

The riding areas page has moved. Please click here & update your bookmarks.