Turnagain Pass
|
![]() ![]() |
It’s SNOWING!! Or at least trying to snow. Since Halloween night Turnagain Pass has picked up around 5″ of new snow at the SNOTEL site (1880′ elev.) for a total depth of 10″. At the road the Pass has seen 2-3″ of wet snow. Mid-mountain at Alyeska picked up around 6″ since Halloween with a total depth close to a foot. As for how much more we will get out of this system – it’s uncertain – possibly another 2-6″ today into Monday.
We will be posting intermittent updates during the first half of November. Advisories will begin in mid-November.
Below is the AK DOT snow stake at the RWIS weather station on Turnagain Pass. This is a new webcam that takes many different images including looking up at Seattle, Tincan, Eddies ridgelines and more. The link to the main RWIS site at the PASS is HERE. Bookmark it!!
Only a few inches of wet/crusty snow near the road on Turnagain Pass (early morning Nov 2nd).
Early Season Reminders:
As the saying goes: “If there is enough snow to ride, there is enough snow to slide“. What qualifies as ‘enough snow’ is likely quite different for many of us but nonetheless, it’s time to start thinking about avalanches.
Things to watch for if you are headed out into the backcountry:
Now is THE time to start checking your avalanche RESCUE gear.
Upcoming Events:
November 7th: Southcentral Alaska Avalanche Workshop. A gathering of snow professionals for a day of learning, presentation, discussion and networking. All are welcome! See akavalancheworkshop.org for more details.
November 8th – 10th: Alaska Winter Weather Forecasting Course. An amazing, and intense, mountain weather course taught by a former Alaska avalanche forecaster and current mountain meteorologist Jim Woodmencey! http://alaskaavalanche.com/
November 13th: Woohoo! Join the Friends of the CNFAIC and forecasters for our 6th Annual CNFAIC Fundraiser featuring Luc Mehl! Details HERE.
November 18th: FREE Avalanche Awareness talk at REI – 6:00-7:30pm
November 20th: Winter Project World Premiere!! Bear Tooth Theather and Pub.
What’s going on with the weather?
General weather: HERE
Developmental Eastern Turnagain Arm Forecast: HERE (Bookmark this page if you have not done so already)
What it looks like up at Turnagain Pass: AKDOT’s webcams!
Treeline snow depth on Center Ridge: SNOTEL site (as of Friday Oct. 24th there is 6 inches of settled snow from Oct. 20th’s 12 inches).
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
Travel Advice | Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. | Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. | Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making essential. | Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. | Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain. |
Likelihood of Avalanches | Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. | Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. | Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. | Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. | Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. |
Avalanche Size and Distribution | Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. | Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. | Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. | Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. | Very large avalanches in many areas. |
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
10/27/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan | Michael Kerst |
10/21/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass Road Observation | Trevor Clayton |
10/19/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan – Below Todds Run | Andy Moderow |
10/18/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Taylor Pass | Eli Neuffer |
10/15/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Common | John Sykes Forecaster |
10/14/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan | CNFAC Staff |
05/13/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Eddie’s, Sunburst, Seattle, Cornbiscuit, Pete’s South | H Thamm |
05/13/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass non-motorized side | Amy Holman |
05/12/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Warm up Bowl | Tony Naciuk |
05/07/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass Wet Slabs | A S |
The riding areas page has moved. Please click here & update your bookmarks.
Subscribe to Turnagain Pass
Avalanche Forecast by Email