Sat, April 19, 2014 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Sat, April 19th, 2014

Alpine
Above 2,500'

Low (1)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

Low (1)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

Low (1)

Alpine Above 2,500'		Low (1)
Treeline 1,000'-2,500'		Low (1)
Below Treeline Below 1,000'		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 means triggering an avalanche is unlikely but not impossible.

More info at Avalanche.org

Dissipating cloud cover and cooler overnight temps have allowed the snow surface to once again refreeze. The snowpack has now been through many periods of melt/freeze. This equates to generally stable snow in most areas. The exceptions to this are the following:

Wet Loose Avalanches
It will be possible for humans to trigger very low volume wet sluffs in very steep terrain today. Slopes over 40 degrees either in the lower elevations or on sunlit aspects in the higher elevations are the main areas where this is a possibility. The volume of any potential sluffs will be low and slow moving.

Cornices
We have yet to see any significant cornice falls in the area. Despite this, it is still worth being aware of and staying away from them. Know where your are in relation to cornices and always hedge your bets by giving them a wide berth. Warm temperatures and sunshine will help to destabilize cornices today.

With temperatures expected to reach into the high 40s/low 50s F at 1,000′, it will be important to anticipate the snow surface becoming unsupportable in the lower elevations later in the day. Planning your route back to the road with this in mind will minimize the potential of injury due to difficult travel.

Weather

Sat, April 19th, 2014

In the past 24 hours a trace of new snow has fallen above 2,000′, with light rain (.1″) below 2,000′. Ridgetop winds have averaged 13 mph out of the East (max gust of 35 mph). Temperatures have been mild with the Sunburst station (3,812′) showing an average of 24.7 degrees F. The Center Ridge SNOTEL site (1,880′) showed a max reading of 44 F.

Today expect clearing skies through the morning hours. Temperatures at 1,000′ will reach into the high 40s F. Winds will be light out of the Northeast at 5 mph.

A series of disturbances tracking to the South will not be strong enough to bring moisture our way for the next several days. High pressure will try to establish itself over the area, bringing generally dry conditions and mild temps through the weekend and into the early part of next week.

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
05/28/22	Turnagain	Avalanche: Turnagain Pass – late May wet slab cycle	CNFAIC Staff
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

Riding Areas

Updated Wed, June 01st, 2022

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 as of May 1 per Forest Plan.
Placer River	Closed	Closed as of April 25th due to insufficient snow coverage.
Skookum Drainage	Closed	Closed as of April 1st per Forest Plan.
Turnagain Pass	Closed	Closed as of June 1st.
Twentymile	Closed	Closed as of April 6th due to insufficient snow coverage.
Seward District
Carter Lake	Closed	Closed as of May 1 per Forest Plan.
Lost Lake Trail	Closed	Closed as of May 1 per Forest Plan.
Primrose Trail	Closed	Closed as of May 1 per Forest Plan.
Resurrection Pass Trail	Closed	Closed as of May 1 per Forest Plan.
Snug Harbor	Closed	Closed as of May 1 per Forest Plan.
South Fork Snow River Corridor	Closed	Closed as of May 1 per Forest Plan.
Summit Lake	Closed	Closed as of May 1 per Forest Plan.