Mon, January 26, 2015 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Mon, January 26th, 2015

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

Spring like conditions exist in the higher elevations. With a lack of concerning weak layers in the snowpack comes a very low likelihood of triggering anything other than very shallow loose snow avalanches today.

Loose Snow Avalanches

Yesterday my partner and I were able to get the 2” of surface snow moving in terrain over 40 degrees. Volume of these sluffs were very low and moved at medium speed. This made sluff management simple. It is worth paying attention to your sluff if venturing onto large sustained slopes containing steep rollovers and gullies. This surface snow will become more loose over the next several days of clear and cold weather. As such, it will become easier to trigger this thin layer as we move through the week.

Weak surface snow released naturally in steep terrain on Magnum ridge yesterday. Photo: Fitzgerald

Loosies

Glide Avalanches

Glide cracks are scattered throughout the forecast area. Glides exist on all aspects between 2,000′-3,000′. We continue to monitor and track areas with glide cracks. No new movement or releases were noted yesterday. Minimize your time under glide cracks, as they can release without the normal warning signs.

As mentioned above, early season conditions between road level and 2,500’ exist. Slick crusts, especially in well traveled areas are veiled with a dusting of low density snow. Rocks and stumps may be lurking just below the surface. On the bright side most small creeks and water sources have frozen over with the recent cold temps. Take your time moving through these areas today.

Weather

Mon, January 26th, 2015

As high pressure has established itself over a large portion of the state, temperatures have dropped. Ridgetop stations have averaged in the single digits F over the past 24 hours. Winds have been light out of the North. No new precipitation has fallen.

Today expect similar conditions, with clear, cold and calm being the theme for the day. Ridgetop temperatures will remain in the single digits F and winds will be very light out of the North.

The extended outlook is showing a continuation of this pattern until at least Thursday. Low pressure systems from the South and West will attempt to push up into the region later in the week.

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

	Temp Avg (F)	Snow (in)	Water (in)	Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′)	3	0	0	31
Summit Lake (1400′)	-4	0	0	7
Alyeska Mid (1700′)	4	0	0	23

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

	Temp Avg (F)	Wind Dir	Wind Avg (mph)	Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′)	0	WNW	7	18
Seattle Ridge (2400′)	0	VAR	6	26

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 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.