Sat, April 26, 2014 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Sat, April 26th, 2014

Alpine
Above 2,500'

Moderate (2)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

Moderate (2)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

Moderate (2)

Alpine Above 2,500'		Moderate (2)
Treeline 1,000'-2,500'		Moderate (2)
Below Treeline Below 1,000'		Moderate (2)

Danger Scale:

No Rating (0)

Low (1)

Moderate (2)

Considerable (3)

High (4)

Extreme (5)

Avalanche Problem 1

Wind Slabs

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

More info at Avalanche.org

Winds out of the East coupled with 8-10” of new snow in the higher elevations have created slabs that will be easy to trigger this morning. These slabs will range in depth from 10-14”. With more snow and wind in the forecast, expect these slabs to increase in depth and sensitivity. These slabs will be most sensitive as they are forming.

With winds blowing predominantly out of the East, it is safe to assume that West aspects will be wind loaded today. However, as wind interacts with terrain, it often changes direction. Because of this it is important to learn how to recognize wind loaded terrain features. Look for smooth, rounded and pillowy surfaces. Shooting cracks are commonly found on wind loaded features and are an obvious sign of unstable snow.

Avoiding wind loaded areas will be your best bet for managing this avalanche concern today.

Avalanche Problem 2

Wet Loose

Wet Loose

Wet Loose avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

More info at Avalanche.org

Rain and above freezing temperatures have and will continue to create weak surface snow. In terrain over 40 degrees in the lower elevations be on the lookout for human triggered wet loose avalanches to move slowly. There is potential for these to gain enough mass to knock a person over and increase chances for injury. If you are sinking more than a few inches below the surface, it is time to back off of steep terrain.

Weather

Sat, April 26th, 2014

In the past 24 hours 8 € snow containing .8 € of water have fallen at the Center Ridge SNOTEL site. Rain/snow line has fluctuated between 500′-1,800′. Winds have been blowing steadily out of the East, with Sunburst averaging 25 mph (max gust 49 mph). Temperatures at ridge tops have been in the mid 20s F (Sunburst 24 hr avg=23.2 F)

Today expect more precipitation, with the bulk of it arriving later in the day. As much as 5 € of additional snow can be expected by sunset. Winds will continue to be in the moderate range, 25-35 mph out of the East. Rain/snow line should hover around 1,500-1,800′. Temperatures at 1,000′ will reach into the low 40s F.

Unsettled weather will persist through the weekend. Moving into the early part of next week drier conditions should take over as the Low currently stalled over the area makes an exit.

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

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

Riding Areas

Updated Fri, May 13th, 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	Open	Open. Extended opening through May 31.
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.