Fri, January 23, 2015 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Fri, January 23rd, 2015

Alpine
Above 2,500'

Moderate (2)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

Low (1)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

No Rating (0)

Alpine Above 2,500'		Moderate (2)
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

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

Today is all about what the weather might do. Snow has been the talk of Southcentral Alaska over the last few days, but unfortunately Girdwood and Turnagain have only received a trace of new snow. It looks like today might be more of the same as most of the precipitation tracks up Cook Inlet. There remains a chance of snow (2-4”) at higher elevations and freezing rain at sea level. Rain/snow line could be as high as 1000’ today.

Wind slabs

Ridgetop winds are expected to be moderate (15-25mph) from the Northeast, just enough to form small isolated wind slabs on leeward features in the alpine. Currently 2-6” of low-density snow is available for transport, and if we see up to 4” of new snow, small shallow slabs (4-8”) are possible on steep leeward features at higher elevations. Heighten awareness is advised in steep terrain where smooth pillow-like windslabs could be lurking.

Storm slabs

Pay attention to how the snow changes throughout the day and be on the lookout for small isolated soft slabs on steep features at mid elevations. We currently have a weak interface where 2-4” of poorly bonded old snow is sitting on a melt/freeze crust. Today temperatures will be in the high 20’sF to low 30’sF at mid elevations (2500-3000′,) and if we see snow today soft storm slabs (4” deep) are possible. Luckily this is a low consequence hazard, but still warrants caution on large steep terrain features above 35°.

Additional Concern

Normal Caution

Normal Caution

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

More info at Avalanche.org

Early seaon hazards do exist at lower elevations where rocks, branches, and frozen ice are barely covered by a trace of new snow and surface hoar at elevations below 1500′. Use caution today at this elevation band where these harzards may become less visible if we do recieve more snow.

Photo taken Jan.22, 2015 at 1200′ on the East side of Seattle Ridge uptrack.

Weather

Fri, January 23rd, 2015

Yesterday a trace of new snow was observed, just under an inch in Turnagain Pass and Girdwood. Ridgetop winds were moderate at times , 10-25mph, mostly from the East and Northeast. Temperatures stayed cool at sea level (teens to mid 20’sF.)

Today a low-pressure system has positioned itself nicely to deliver snow to Western Kenai Peninsula and the Matanuska Valley. Above 1000′ Girdwood and Turnagain Pass may see 2-4 € of snow today. Ridgetop winds will be moderate from the Northeast 15-25mph. Temps are expected to climb into the low 30’sF with rain/snowline around 1000′. A freezing rain advisory has been issued for roadways along Turnagain Arm until 3pm.

3-5 € of snow is forecasted for this evening with an additional 2 € overnight. Winds look like they will be light to moderate (10-20mph) from the Northeast. Temperatures are expected to cool slightly (mid to high 20’sF) increasing the potential for snow at sea level.

*Image below is screenshot at 6:41am of the the current snow storm tracking up Cook Inlet – not currently looking good for precip in Girdwood/Turnagain area.

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

	Temp Avg (F)	Snow (in)	Water (in)	Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′)	27	trace	.05	30
Summit Lake (1400′)	21	0.1	1	7
Alyeska Mid (1700′)	26	.12	1	19

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

	Temp Avg (F)	Wind Dir	Wind Avg (mph)	Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′)	24	E	12	29
Seattle Ridge (2400′)	25	Var.	13	33

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

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

Riding Areas

Updated Thu, June 01st, 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	Closed	Closed May 15.
Placer River	Closed	Closed May 15.
Skookum Drainage	Closed	Will close to motorized use on April 1, 2023 per the National Forest Plan.
Turnagain Pass	Closed	Will close on June 1.
Twentymile	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Seward District
Carter Lake	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Lost Lake Trail	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Primrose Trail	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Resurrection Pass Trail	Closed	Closed to motorized use for the 2022/23 winter season per Forest Plan. Open next season.
Snug Harbor	Closed	Extended opening until May 15.
South Fork Snow River Corridor	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Summit Lake	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.