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ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Thu, April 3rd, 2014 - 7:00AM
Expires
Fri, April 4th, 2014 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Kevin Wright
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

The avalanche danger is  LOW.  Cornice features and loose snow sluffs are the only real possibilities for getting snow to move today.

There will be a weather pattern change tonight, check our forecast tomorrow for the latest changes.

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Thu, April 3rd, 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

Stability continues to be excellent today.  It’s rare that we have so many tracks in so many places across our region.  All of the commonly traveled steep lines have been skied or ridden in the last few weeks.  

One of the bigger challenges right now seems to be finding areas without tracks or with soft snow.  Sunny southerly aspects have a stout breakable crust at the surface.  Daytime temperatures are still not warm enough to soften up those faces and make for good corn conditions.  Shaded north faces are holding faceted “recycled” powder, which can be quite good if you can find areas without old tracks.  

Avalanche related hazards today will include – 

Cornices.  Give overhanging cornice features space as they may break back farther than expected.

Sluffing in steep terrain – 

That loose snow on shaded north faces will sluff out in low volume.  It doesn’t have a lot of mass to it, but it must be skied strategically to avoid getting pushed off your feet in high consequence terrain.  Check out this article for sluff management tips.

Additional Concern
  • Announcement
    Announcement

Thinking about the future – tomorrow and the weekend…  

There is a good rule of thumb – After long periods without precipitation, the surface becomes a poor interface for the next snow load.

Our current snow surface consists of glazed crusts on south faces, surface hoar, and faceted snow on north faces.  All of these components can be the next layer of concern when we get our next snow load.  

Weather
Thu, April 3rd, 2014

Today is expected to start off sunny and calm.  Temperatures will reach into the high 30s this afternoon.  Tonight we will see the first tangible change in the weather pattern in nearly 3 weeks.  Enjoy the sun today while we still have it!

Increasing clouds tonight will bring a chance of rain and snow for Friday and the weekend.  Temperatures are expected to be above freezing during daylight hours, so rain rather than snow is possible.

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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.