Wed, November 05, 2014 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Wed, November 5th, 2014

Alpine
Above 2,500'

No Rating (0)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

No Rating (0)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

No Rating (0)

Alpine Above 2,500'		No Rating (0)
Treeline 1,000'-2,500'		No Rating (0)
Below Treeline Below 1,000'		No Rating (0)

Danger Scale:

No Rating (0)

Low (1)

Moderate (2)

Considerable (3)

High (4)

Extreme (5)

Avalanche Problem 1

Storm Slabs

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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

As we head into a stormy next several days and weekend, below are some things to watch for:

New snow avalanches! There is plenty of snow out there to be wary of and ruin your day. In the event we receive new snow and wind watch for natural avalanches as well as human triggered slides. These can come in the form of:

Wind Slabs where the wind has loaded leeward aspects
Storm Slabs including both soft and hard slabs
Loose Snow Avalanches (sluffs).

Watch for poor bonding between any new snow and the old weak snow from October and early November.

Know where you are:

Steer clear of being under steep slopes or in terrain traps. Many folks have been getting out in the Crow Pass area – this is a CLASSIC terrain trap and the trail often traverses a large avalanche path. Sadly, in late November of 1997, this was the site of an avalanche fatality. It’s avalanche season – heads up, don’t let it catch you off guard !!

Avalanche Problem 2

Glide Avalanches

Glide Avalanches

Glide Avalanches are the release of the entire snow cover as a result of gliding over the ground. Glide avalanches can be composed of wet, moist, or almost entirely dry snow. They typically occur in very specific paths, where the slope is steep enough and the ground surface is relatively smooth. They are often proceeded by full depth cracks (glide cracks), though the time between the appearance of a crack and an avalanche can vary between seconds and months. Glide avalanches are unlikely to be triggered by a person, are nearly impossible to forecast, and thus pose a hazard that is extremely difficult to manage.

More info at Avalanche.org

Glide avalanches?! There may only be 1-2′ of snow on the ground but that is enough for the NW nose of Eddies to start producing glide cracks. These are mostly small, yet some look to have released. Always steer clear of, and out from under, glide cracks. Also, keep a close eye on any new snow that may hide cracks as our snowpack slowly piles up.

Glide cracks on Eddies (A bit hard to see in the photo).

Weather

Wed, November 5th, 2014

Today, Wednesday, a disturbance in the Northern Gulf has the potential to bring 2-3+” of snow to above treeline elevations and rain/snow below. Winds look to be in the 20-30mph range from the East.

Friday through the weekend, an upper level low in the Gulf along with the remnants of super typhoon Nuri will impact Eastern Turnagain Arm with hopefully another shot of snow to start our season. Stay tuned!

Weather Links?

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.

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
02/07/23	Turnagain	Observation: Seattle Ridge	Wagner / Keeler Forecaster
02/07/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Pete’s North	Megan Guinn
02/06/23	Other Regions	Observation: Johnson Pass to Bench Lake	Justin Siemens
02/05/23	Turnagain	Observation: Rookie Hill	Tony Naciuk
01/31/23	Turnagain	Observation: Johnson Pass area	Megan Guinn / W Wagner Forecaster
01/29/23	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan Backdoor	AAS-Level 1 1/27-1/30
01/28/23	Turnagain	Observation: Sunburst	Brooke Edwards
01/28/23	Turnagain	Avalanche: Seattle Ridge	W Wagner
01/28/23	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan Common	Tony Naciuk
01/27/23	Turnagain	Observation: Sunburst	John Sykes

Riding Areas

Updated Fri, January 06th, 2023

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	Opened Dec 13th.
Placer River	Closed	Closed Jan 5th due to lack of snow (holiday storms rained away the snow at sea level).
Skookum Drainage	Closed	Closed Jan 5th due to lack of snow (holiday storms rained away the snow at sea level).
Turnagain Pass	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Twentymile	Closed	Closed Jan 5th due to lack of snow (holiday storms rained away the snow at sea level).
Seward District
Carter Lake	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Lost Lake Trail	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Primrose Trail	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Resurrection Pass Trail	Closed	Closed to motorized use for the 2022/23 winter season per Forest Plan. Open next season.
Snug Harbor	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
South Fork Snow River Corridor	Open	Opened Dec 13th.
Summit Lake	Open	Opened Dec 13th.