Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast RSS

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ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Sat, January 24th, 2015 - 7:00AM
Expires
Sun, January 25th, 2015 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
John Fitzgerald
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

The avalanche danger is LOW in the Alpine and Treeline elevations today.   Triggering avalanches are unlikely.  

At and below treeline €œearly € season conditions exist.   Meager snow coverage between 1,000-2,500′ will make for challenging travel.   Rocks, stumps, and slick surfaces are legitimate hazards to manage in the mid elevations today.

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Sat, January 24th, 2015
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Low (1)
Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Low (1)
Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
No Rating (0)
Avalanche risk
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Avalanche risk
Low (1)
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Avalanche risk
Low (1)
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
Avalanche risk
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
Normal Caution means triggering an avalanche is unlikely but not impossible.
More info at Avalanche.org

It has been over a week since the last significant loading event.  In that time temperatures have been mild and winds have been mostly light.  This has allowed instabilities that did exist in the upper portions of the snowpack to diminish.  Because of this it will be very difficult to trigger an avalanche today.

Keep in mind that LOW danger does not mean NO danger.  It is impossible to eliminate all risk if you are spending time in avalanche terrain in the winter.  Outlier issues today could come in the form of:

Wind Slabs
Moderate winds yesterday morning created very shallow pockets of wind slab above 2,500’.  These slabs are in the 4-6” range, low in volume and could grow slightly in areas receiving snow today.  If venturing into very steep upper elevation terrain be on the lookout for these small pockets as they could push you around or knock you off your feet.  

Glide Avalanches
We continue to track and monitor glide cracks throughout the forecast area.  Cracks exist on all aspects and are generally found between 2,000’ and 3,000’.  The solution to this problem is simple: stay away from glide cracks.  They are unpredictable and could release at any time.

Eddie’s has many glide cracks.  Many on the South side have released.  Note the large crack on the headwall which has not released.  Photo: Fitzgerald

Eddie's Glides

If you are traveling in steep terrain today it is important to follow good travel protocol:
-One at a time on suspect slopes
-Use islands of safety for spotting and regrouping
-Communicate decisions and plans effectively
-Be aware of other groups above and below

Don’t get lazy in times of LOW danger.  Developing good habits will serve you well when the danger is higher than it is today.

Weather
Sat, January 24th, 2015

Over the past 24 hours the mountains around Eastern Turnagain Arm have picked up a trace to 2 € of new snow.   Winds have been light with ridgetops averaging in the 5-10 mph range out of a variety of directions.   Temperatures have been on a steady downward trend with ridgetop stations reporting in the teens F this morning.

Today expect lingering snow showers to give way to clearing skies and a drop in temps.   Some areas could receive an additional 2 € of snow.   Winds will be light out of the North in the 5 mph range.

A ridge of high pressure will begin building over the area later today and persist into the early part of next week.   Cold air will remain in place for the region with lows below zero F and highs in the single digits to teens F.

*Seattle ridge wind data is 6 am-11pm.   The wind sensor is rimed.

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

  Temp Avg (F) Snow (in) Water (in) Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′) 25 1 .1 31
Summit Lake (1400′) 24 1 .1 8
Alyeska Mid (1700′) 23 1 .1 21

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

  Temp Avg (F) Wind Dir Wind Avg (mph) Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′) 24 var 7 35
Seattle Ridge (2400′) 21 SW* 11* 26*
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Riding Areas
Updated Sat, September 23rd, 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
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Placer River
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Skookum Drainage
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Turnagain Pass
Closed
Scheduled opening on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving per Chugach National Forest plan. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Twentymile
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Seward District
Carter Lake
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Lost Lake Trail
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Primrose Trail
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Resurrection Pass Trail
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Snug Harbor
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
South Fork Snow River Corridor
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Summit Lake
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.

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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.