Wed, March 12, 2014 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Wed, March 12th, 2014

Alpine
Above 2,500'

Considerable (3)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

Considerable (3)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

Considerable (3)

Alpine Above 2,500'		Considerable (3)
Treeline 1,000'-2,500'		Considerable (3)
Below Treeline Below 1,000'		Considerable (3)

Danger Scale:

No Rating (0)

Low (1)

Moderate (2)

Considerable (3)

High (4)

Extreme (5)

Avalanche Problem 1

Storm Slabs

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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

The storm snow that makes up our primary concern started falling on Monday. It tapered off substantially yesterday and transitioned to rain below 1000 feet. All told, more than 2 feet of new snow fell from this storm. Combined with a lot of wind, we have scoured areas between heavy wind loading.

Yesterday we were finding the storm snow would break easily on the new snow/old snow interface. This is the old surface layer about an inch above the late February crust. This is a very easy interface to identify, no need to pull out the shovel, just dig in with your hand to find it. Any avalanches today are likely to break a little above that crust, taking 2 feet of storm snow or greater amounts in wind loaded areas. Areas with now buried surface hoar may behave even worse with a persistent weak layer involved.

I’ll mention that avalanche activity yesterday seemed a bit sluggish – initiation was slow and avalanches were somewhat small in size for the amount of snow we got. This doesn’t mean much in terms of travel advice… It’s still an easy call when managing today’s problem. A lot of new snow on top of a crust with sporadic buried surface hoar – requires conservative travel in the backcountry.

Avalanche Problem 2

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

Below 1000 feet we did get rain at the later half of this storm. The lower you go, the more rain we got. This isn’t a big concern, just keep in mind that lower elevations have a water saturated surface layer.

Weather

Wed, March 12th, 2014

The recent storm is the big news. Storm totals listed below. Numbers are 48 hour snow totals. Keep in mind that the snow is settling and temperatures increased during the storm, transitioning to rain at lower elevations.

Girdwood midway – 26″ (2.25″ water equivalent)

Turnagain Pass – Center Ridge – 25″ (2.2″ water equivalent)

Summit Lake – 12″ (1″ water equivalent)

Wind blew hard during the peak of the storm, which caused visually evident scouring of ridges. Max gusts were recorded up to 114mph at ridge tops. That wind diminished yesterday.

Today will bring a short break in precipitation intensity. Snow and rain showers are expected throughout the day with an inch of accumulation. Wind is increasing through the day as another weather front approaches.

Tonight and tomorrow will bring another storm similar to the last one. Predicted snow totals for tonight and Thursday are 14-24 inches. There is a high wind warning in effect 2am to 8am Thursday for Turnagain Arm and Portage.

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
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

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.