Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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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.
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.
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.
| Date | Region | Location | Observer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/18/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Ridge | Joe Kurtak |
| 04/30/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | W Wagner Forecaster |
| 04/27/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Ridge | Joe Kurtak |
| 04/26/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Magnum | Creighton/ Hoople |
| 04/25/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | Nick D'Alessio |
| 04/24/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Airplane obs | Johnston-Bloom / DiJulia /Hilliard Forecaster |
| 04/24/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Corn biscuit | Heather Johnson |
| 04/23/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Lynx Ck Drainage | W Wagner Forecaster |
| 04/23/21 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Sunburst | Eeva Latosuo |
| 04/23/21 | Turnagain | Observation: Center Ridge Turnagain pass | Joe Kurtak |
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.
