Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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There is a MODERATE avalanche danger today in alpine areas above 2,500′. The odds of triggering an avalanche are on the decline as we are now a week out from the end of our last storm. Given the persistent nature of the weak layer/ slab combo (1 €“ 3′ slab) that we know exists in much of the advisory area, this is a €œscary € MODERATE situation and if an avalanche initiates it has the potential to propagate far and wide across entire slopes. Keep this last point in mind if travelling in the backcountry today and exercise safe travel protocol both on the skin up and the ski down.
Below 2,500′ the danger is LOW for initiating an avalanche though anything triggered from higher elevations does have the potential to run into this elevation band. Again, safe travel protocol and situational awareness with other groups will be key today.
We all need to collectively ask Santa for snow for Xmas because below 1,000′ there is unfortunately still not enough coverage to issue a danger rating.
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Our current problem can be described as low probability/ high consequence. The likelihood of waking up this documented layer of buried surface hoar that we’ve been talking about the last few days is waning as time ticks by and temperatures drop. However if one were to find the right trigger point (shallow areas in the slab or slope convexities are the likely areas) on a slope the resulting avalanche could be quite large. We have a hard time classifying this type of problem using the North American Avalanche Danger Scale because it doesn’t totally capture this low likelihood/ high consequence scenario with any one color.
Colors aside, it’ll be important today to travel through the backcountry with heightened awareness. Ensure good spacing between parties and individuals when ascending steep terrain; one person at a time on the slope; plan out and communicate escape routes and safety zones; ensure safe zones are safe. Keep in mind that with this avalanche problem, potential exists for a slope to avalanche wall-to-wall or even connect slopes through shallow bands of rock.
As mentioned in the bottom line, this is a “scary” MODERATE avalanche problem and though our snowpack is gaining strength, surface hoar once buried accounts for more avalanche accidents than any other weak layer.
Calm weather dominated the eastern Turnagain arm zone yesterday. After a light morning drizzle deposited a very thin crust on the snow surface up to about 1,500′ the skies began to break and visibility improve. Ridgetop winds were in the single digits from the east with temperatures hovering around 32 degrees at 1,000′.
We may continue to see a few snow showers through the day as instability in our region weakens with an advancing ridge moving in from the west. This will shift winds to a northwesterly direction where we may see gusts into the mid-teens or low 20’s mph today. Temperatures at 1,000′ will linger right around the freezing mark. We may also see fog development today and into tomorrow-in low-lying areas around the highway.
Looking out toward Xmas it appears that south-central AK will be influenced by westerly flow as a dominant low-pressure system in the western Aleutians tracks east toward the mainland. Expect temperatures to slowly decline and periods of light snow thru the holiday.
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
Center Ridge (1880′) | 29 | 1 | .1 | 28 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 24 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 32 | 1 | .1 | 21 |
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
Sunburst (3812′) | 24 | E | 6 | 14 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 26 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
05/22/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan | Nick D'Alessio |
05/12/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan, Sunburst, Magnum, Cornbiscuit | Heather Thamm |
05/07/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan – Bear Tracks | CNFAIC Staff |
05/05/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Seattle Ridge | AS/ WW Forecaster |
05/02/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Cornbiscuit | Schauer/ Sturgess Forecaster |
05/02/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Seward Hwy Turnagain Pass | Joel Curtis |
04/30/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Magnum | Ayla, Kit Crosby, Barton |
04/29/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan | John Sykes |
04/28/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Taylor Pass/Pastoral | Schauer/ Creighton Forecaster |
04/28/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan | Andy Moderow |
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.