Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast RSS

Archives
ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Sat, April 19th, 2014 - 7:00AM
Expires
Sun, April 20th, 2014 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
John Fitzgerald
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

The avalanche danger is LOW above and below treeline.   Very low volume wet loose avalanches and cornices are the snowpack issues to be aware of today.

Special Announcements

Turnagain Pass and Snug harbor are the only remaining areas on the Chugach National Forest open to motorized use.   Check the bottom of the page for the latest updates on motorized access.

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Advisories will be issued 5 days per week – Wednesday to Sunday – through April 27th.

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Sat, April 19th, 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
  • Normal Caution
    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
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Riding Areas
Updated Wed, December 01st, 2021

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
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.
Placer River
Open
Open as of Dec 1st. Limited parking due to Portage curve construction.
Skookum Drainage
Open
Open as of Dec 1st. Limited parking due to Portage curve construction.
Turnagain Pass
Open
Open as of Saturday, Nov 27. Be aware of early season hazards (alders/creeks) and open water.
Twentymile
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.
Seward District
Carter Lake
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.
Lost Lake Trail
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.
Primrose Trail
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.
Resurrection Pass Trail
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.
Snug Harbor
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.
South Fork Snow River Corridor
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.
Summit Lake
Open
Open as of Dec 1st.

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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.

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