Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
|
![]() ![]() |
Change is finally happening. A small amount of snow is expected to fall above 1300 feet today. At current snowfall predictions I do not expect the avalanche danger rating to rise. However, if snow comes in deeper than predicted, watch for touchy wind slabs on top of the old tired surface.
The overall danger rating is LOW this morning, but new snow will probably make that rise to pockets of MODERATE above treeline by tomorrow.
It looks like another day of normal caution, with a couple extra thoughts regarding accumulating snow. Any avalanche activity today will be shallow, no deeper than the surface snow that we’ve been on for the last 3 weeks.
If snowfall today is 4 inches or less as predicted, the worst avalanche problems should be very small and manageable – not really a danger, but something to watch. If more than 6 inches falls today, wind slabs could reach 1 foot deep and will be poorly bonded to the surface underneath – these could be a game changer in steep terrain and not something you want to mess with.
As we all hope for another good winter storm, we can’t forget about the old surface conditions that make up the new interface of concern in the snowpack. South faces have been baking in the sun for the last 3 weeks, and freezing up hard at night. North faces have been faceting out into unconsolidated sugar snow. Surface hoar is present nearly everywhere we’ve looked the last few days. All of these components will be difficult for new snow to bond to, making for potentially unstable conditions when the new snow becomes deep enough.
The old cornice problem is still present. As always, give the mature overhanging cornices a wide berth when traveling on ridge tops. With new snow and wind, cornices will be growing again for the next few days.
Temperatures moderated just a bit yesterday, with slightly higher lows and lower highs. Winds have increased. A tiny bit of snow started falling yesterday, but no more than an inch.
For today the snow amount is predicted to be 1-4 inches, with a snow/rain line at 1300 feet. Look for a southeast wind of 16-32mph.
The outlook through Sunday looks like more of the same. The precipitation intensity is not expected to be very significant. With a few days of snow showers we might see enough accumulation to change surface conditions for the better and produce some small avalanche activity.
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
05/21/22 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Magnum, Lipps and Tincan | CNFAIC Staff |
05/17/22 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Sunburst | CNFAIC Staff |
05/17/22 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Ridge | Joe Kurtak |
05/11/22 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Cornbiscuit and Magnum west faces | CNFAIC Staff Forecaster |
05/07/22 | Turnagain | Observation: Granddaddy | Kit Barton |
04/29/22 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst wx station | AS/ MM/ AM/ NH |
04/28/22 | Turnagain | Observation: More Turnagain Pass/Summit Lake wet slab activity | Alex Marienthal |
04/27/22 | Turnagain | Observation: Magnum | Sykes / Buttrick Forecaster |
04/27/22 | Turnagain | Observation: Girdwood/Summit/Turnagain Road obs | A S |
04/24/22 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge – large glide avalanche on Repeat Offender path | CNFAIC Staff Forecaster |
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 |
Subscribe to Turnagain Pass
Avalanche Forecast by Email
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.