Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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Avalanche danger continues to be LOW across our forecast zone. The shot of snow that impacted Anchorage yesterday had very little effect to the south of Anchorage. Mountains around Girdwood got up to 3 inches of light snow, Turnagain Pass got about an inch. This minimal snowfall did not change the avalanche danger in our area.
Surface conditions are still supportable crust interspersed with old raised tracks. Skiing and riding quality is poor. This crust could allow for easy travel into the far reaches of the Chugach on skinny skis or a fat tire bike.
Turnagain Pass is now CLOSED to motorized use due to shallow snowpack and patches of bare ground. Johnson Pass north and Placer river remain OPEN.
Join CNFAIC forecasters John Fitzgerald and Wendy Wagner at REI tonight from 6-7:30pm for a presentation on this season’s unusual weather, snow and avalanche cycles. To reserve a seat go to REI’s website on this link.
A complete lack of soft snow below 4000 feet makes avalanches an unlikely possibility.
We’ve had a recent pattern of melt/freeze: temperatures alternating into the 40s F during day and freezing hard at night. This has consolidated the snowpack and made it strong and firm. Despite the presence of several crust layers, the snowpack is quite stable.
Exceptions could exist at very high elevations that were not affected by melting temperatures. If you look hard enough there are always be outliers to be found.
Cornices are the other stability exception. Unstable overhanging curls of snow at ridge crests can be found without much searching. They can and will break back farther than expected if a person were to step onto one of these features.
The snowfall yesterday hit Anchorage harder than Girdwood or Turnagain Pass. There may be a slight benefit to the quality of skiing from this 1-3 inches of snow, but it is minimal.
Mostly cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy by tonight. Patchy fog in the morning. A few flurries in the morning are not expected to produce significant snow on the ground. Temperatures will reach into the lower 30s. Wind will be 0-10mph.
A chance of snow is forecasted for the weekend, but it doesn’t look like a major storm that will produce much snow.
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
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05/22/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan | Nick D'Alessio |
05/12/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan, Sunburst, Magnum, Cornbiscuit | Heather Thamm |
05/07/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan – Bear Tracks | CNFAIC Staff |
05/05/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Seattle Ridge | AS/ WW Forecaster |
05/02/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Cornbiscuit | Schauer/ Sturgess Forecaster |
05/02/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Seward Hwy Turnagain Pass | Joel Curtis |
04/30/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Magnum | Ayla, Kit Crosby, Barton |
04/29/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan | John Sykes |
04/28/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Taylor Pass/Pastoral | Schauer/ Creighton Forecaster |
04/28/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan | Andy Moderow |
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 |
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Glacier District |
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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.