Thu, November 27, 2014 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Thu, November 27th, 2014

Alpine
Above 2,500'

Low (1)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

Low (1)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

No Rating (0)

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

Normal Caution

Normal Caution

Normal Caution means triggering an avalanche is unlikely but not impossible.

More info at Avalanche.org

As stated in the bottom line, the main concern if you venture into the backcountry will be early season/low snow cover hazards. Rocks, stumps, alders, etc. Below is a run down of snow depths vs. elevation:

1,000′ (Turnagain Pass road elevation): 0-3 inches
2,000′ (Treeline): 18″ to 2 feet
2,500′ (Top of Treeline): 2 feet
3,200′ (Above Treeline – Alpine): 3 feet

The good news is a very stout crust exists in the middle of the pack with strong melt-freeze snow below, which is covering up many of the smaller rocks (Photo above). More details from CNFAIC’s field day yesterday are HERE and HERE.

Wind Slab:
In high elevation extreme terrain, off ridgelines and peaks, there is the possibility of finding and triggering a wind slab. Watch for rounded stiff wind deposited snow that feels hollow. Also, be aware of what is below – cliffs/rocks – in the event even a small slab is triggered.

Loose Snow sluffs:
On steep slopes, 40 degrees and above, watch for sluffing in the settled snow from 11/22. Sluffs are expected to be low volume.

Weather

Thu, November 27th, 2014

Yesterday we saw broken cloud cover and valley fog obscure much of the mountainous terrain. Winds were light from the Northwest and temperatures were in the mid 20’s F above treeline.

Today, we can expect partly sunny skies with high clouds streaming in from the West. Ridgetop winds are expected to be light and variable. Temperatures have cooled off overnight and are expected to be in the teens near treeline and the low 20’sF on the ridgetops.

Tomorrow, Black Friday, we should see an increase in cloud cover, and possibly a flake or two, as rotating lows in the Bering move west and the associated frontal system begins to spill into Southcentral. This will continue to move our way and give us a chance for snow (to sea level!) Saturday and into Sunday.

PRECIPITATION 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

	Temp Avg (F)	Snow (in)	Water (in)	Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′)	23	0	0	18
Summit Lake (1400′)	24	0	0	0
Alyeska Mid (1700′)	24	0	0	9

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

	Temp Avg (F)	Wind Dir	Wind Avg (mph)	Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′)	20	W	4	12
Seattle Ridge (2400′)	19	var	4	11

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
04/13/21	Turnagain	Observation: Turnagain Pass Road Obs	A Schauer Forecaster
04/12/21	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan	Johnston-Bloom / Latosuo Forecaster
04/10/21	Turnagain	Observation: north sides	lance breeding
04/09/21	Turnagain	Observation: Girdwood to Turnagain Road Observations	W Wagner Forecaster
04/05/21	Turnagain	Avalanche: Resort bowl Seattle creek head wall	Clint Kyffin
04/04/21	Turnagain	Observation: Center Ridge	Andy Moderow
04/03/21	Turnagain	Observation: Repeat Offender – Seattle Ridge	Troy Tempel
04/02/21	Turnagain	Observation: Seattle Ridge	Wagner / Schauer Forecaster
04/01/21	Turnagain	Observation: Pete’s	Schauer/ Cullen Forecaster
03/31/21	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan	Schauer/ Rothman Forecaster

Riding Areas

Updated Thu, April 01st, 2021

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	No parking in turnaround at end of the road near the outhouse.
Placer River	Open	Please do not ride along Railroad tracks. Cross tracks at 90 degree angle and clear the right of way.
Skookum Drainage	Closed	The Skookum Valley is closed to snowmachines. This closure occurs annually on April 1 as per the CNF Forest Plan.
Turnagain Pass	Open
Twentymile	Open	Please do not ride along Railroad tracks. Cross tracks at 90 degree angle and clear the right of way.
Seward District
Carter Lake	Open
Lost Lake Trail	Open
Primrose Trail	Open
Resurrection Pass Trail	Closed	Closed for the 2020/21 winter season.
Snug Harbor	Open
South Fork Snow River Corridor	Open
Summit Lake	Open