Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast RSS

Archives
ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Thu, April 10th, 2014 - 7:00AM
Expires
Fri, April 11th, 2014 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Kevin Wright
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

Another beautiful sunny day is expected.  Cold, clear, and calm.  Avalanche potential will be  LOW,  with only minor sluffing noted in the last couple days.  

Temperatures remained cold enough yesterday that our new surface should still be fairly soft and dry.  The exception to that may be south faces that got a direct hit by sun, and a sun crust may be found.  

Thanks to our sponsors!
Thu, April 10th, 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
  • Dry Loose
    Dry Loose
Dry Loose
Dry Loose avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.
More info at Avalanche.org

The only evidence of recent moving snow that we know of is loose snow sluffing.  This activity appears to be all low volume and minor in size.  With a couple days since the storm, surface snow will now be more settled and consolidated and more difficult to cause additional sluffing.  

The backcountry really does look nice out there.  6 inches of new snow fell on the old tired surface early this week.  This refresh isn’t enough to keep you from feeling the old snow underneath, but it is enough to improve conditions.  Combined with sunny skies, the backcountry is a fairly safe and pleasant playground today.  

Natural small sluff avalanche on the west face of Lips.

Weather
Thu, April 10th, 2014

The last storm was on Tuesday when 6-8 inches fell at Turnagain Pass and Girdwood.  This has now settled to 4-6 inches.  

Temperatures remained cold yesterday, below freezing in the mountains despite the sunny skies.  Overnight temperatures dipped to teens and single digits.  Clouds are rare in our current high pressure pattern.

We can expect sunny skies for today and tomorrow, and a change to stormy weather on Saturday night.  

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 Sat, September 23rd, 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
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Placer River
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Skookum Drainage
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Turnagain Pass
Closed
Scheduled opening on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving per Chugach National Forest plan. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Twentymile
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Seward District
Carter Lake
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Lost Lake Trail
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Primrose Trail
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Resurrection Pass Trail
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Snug Harbor
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
South Fork Snow River Corridor
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Summit Lake
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.

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.

Become a Member
If you think a public avalanche center is important please support our organization.
Donate Now
Become a Sponsor
Supporting the CNFAIC proudly shows that your business or organization values the safety of our snow sports community.
Become a Sponsor