Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The Bottom Line
The avalanche danger is LOW today. Avalanches are unlikely. Snow (up to an inch) and winds will be arriving today but will not be enough to create new instabilities.
The spring like weather of the last 18 days has come to an end. During this time period the snowpack quieted down. Avalanche activity waned and older buried weak layers had time to adjust to the load that arrived in mid March.
The next slab will begin to build slowly over the next several days. New snow falling today will touch down on a variety of snow surfaces.
On North aspects that were sheltered from winds expect to find the weakest interface. It is here where you will find mainly facets along with pockets of surface hoar that will begin to get buried.
On South, East and West aspects, the snow surface is comprised mainly of crusts. Any surface that received direct sunlight has a firm surface. Exceptions to this are on aspects with a Northerly tilt and lower angled terrain.
New snow and wind will not be great enough to bump the avalanche danger above LOW today.
As always, it is important to use good travel practices when moving through avalanche terrain. Expose only one person at a time, use islands of safety when stopping in steep terrain, avoid cornices and communicate plans within your group effectively.
Look for the avalanche danger to be on the rise beyond today as new snow and wind combine to build slabs over the next several days. For today precipitation amounts will be too light to create new slabs that will be of concern. However, this will change as more snow and wind look to be on its way through the weekend.
In the past 24 hours ridge top temperatures (Sunburst station at 3,812′) have averaged 22 degrees F. Winds out of the East were light averaging 5 mph with a max gust of 21 mph. Clouds moved in during the late afternoon ahead of an approaching frontal boundary.
Winter Part IV looks like it might be on our doorstep. Today we can expect cloudy skies with occasional light flurries in the mountains. Temperatures at 1,000′ will reach into the high 30s F. Ridge top winds will be on the increase out of the East at 15-20 mph.
The synoptic pattern has changed. The blocking high pressure that dominated the weather over the past 18 days has broken down. A low pressure trough will set up over the weekend, bringing increasing chances for snow during this time.
| 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 |
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.
