Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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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.
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.
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.
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.
| Date | Region | Location | Observer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/20/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | Johnston-Bloom / Roberts Forecaster |
| 01/19/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Cornbiscuit | Schauer/ Johnston-Bloom Forecaster |
| 01/19/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Sunburst and Tincan | CNFAIC Staff |
| 01/19/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge | CNFAIC Staff |
| 01/19/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan 2900′ SW aspect below Hippy Bowl. | Kris Marshall |
| 01/18/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass Road Obs. | A Schauer Forecaster |
| 01/16/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan Trees | A Schauer Forecaster |
| 01/15/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | Schauer/ Wunnicke Forecaster |
| 01/13/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan | Johnston-Bloom / Moderow Forecaster |
| 01/13/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Center Ridge Meadows | Alaska Avalanche School Rec Level 1 Roberts |
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 | ||
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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.
