Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above treeline, where new snow and wind has created 10-14 € slabs on leeward slopes that will be sensitive to human triggers. These slabs will grow larger as snow continues throughout the day.
Below treeline the avalanche danger is also MODERATE, but for different reasons. Rain and warm temperatures have weakened the snow surface below 1,800′. It will be possible for humans to trigger wet loose avalanches in steep lower elevation terrain today.
€¢ Come join us this afternoon at 3pm for the 2014 Corn Harvest at the Turnagain Pass Center Ridge parking lot!! Come by for FREE food, games and fun. More details HERE.
ۢ Turnagain Pass is now CLOSED to motorized use due to low snow cover. Snug Harbor road is the only area in Chugach National Forest open to motorized use. ۬
€¢ The final forecast of the season will be issued tomorrow morning Sunday, April 27th.
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.
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.
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.
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
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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 |
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 |
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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.