Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast RSS

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ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Thu, March 6th, 2014 - 7:00AM
Expires
Fri, March 7th, 2014 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Kevin Wright
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

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.  

Special Announcements

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.

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Thu, March 6th, 2014
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Low (1)
Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Low (1)
Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
Low (1)
Avalanche risk
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Avalanche risk
Low (1)
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Avalanche risk
Low (1)
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
Avalanche risk
Low (1)
Danger Scale:
No Rating (0)
Low (1)
Moderate (2)
Considerable (3)
High (4)
Extreme (5)
Avalanche Problem 1
  • Normal Caution
    Normal Caution
Normal Caution
Normal Caution means triggering an avalanche is unlikely but not impossible.
More info at Avalanche.org

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.

 

Weather
Thu, March 6th, 2014

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.  

Observations
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Riding Areas
Updated Thu, June 01st, 2023

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
Glacier District
Johnson Pass
Closed
Closed May 15.
Placer River
Closed
Closed May 15.
Skookum Drainage
Closed
Will close to motorized use on April 1, 2023 per the National Forest Plan.
Turnagain Pass
Closed
Will close on June 1.
Twentymile
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Seward District
Carter Lake
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Lost Lake Trail
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Primrose Trail
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Resurrection Pass Trail
Closed
Closed to motorized use for the 2022/23 winter season per Forest Plan. Open next season.
Snug Harbor
Closed
Extended opening until May 15.
South Fork Snow River Corridor
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.
Summit Lake
Closed
Scheduled closure May 1.

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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.