Sat, January 31, 2015 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Sat, January 31st, 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

It has now been two weeks since the weather has delivered any significant loading. Several inches of low density snow sit on the surface in many locations. With the current snowpack set up, it will still be important to clue into the following minor issues:

Loose Snow Avalanches-
Both dry and damp sluffing will be possible in steep terrain. Volume of these sluffs will be very low. If venturing onto steep and large unsupported slopes pay attention to any loose snow that releases. On sunlit aspects expect sluffs to move slow and entrain enough snow to knock you over. This issue will be more serious if traveling above terrain traps such as cliffs, gullies or vegetation.

Wind slabs –
Isolated pockets of older wind slab 6-8” deep may be encountered when getting into higher elevation terrain. Areas on the periphery of the forecast zone (Girdwood Valley and Summit Lake) may be harboring more of these pockets. For those taking advantage of the pleasant conditions and getting into the high alpine, it will be important to be on the lookout for these slabs.

Glide Avalanches-
Glide cracks are scattered around the forecast area. Figuring out the timing of their release is very difficult at best. With warm temps and sunshine the possibility exists for glides to release. But really it’s anyone’s guess. These avalanches do not follow the normal rules of avalanche release. With this in mind do your best to minimize time spent under any glide cracks.

Weather

Sat, January 31st, 2015

Yesterday’s theme was clear, calm and mild. Ridgetop temperatures were in the 20s F with some valley locations experiencing an inversion and cooler temps. Winds were light out of the Northeast. No new precipitation fell.

High pressure covering a majority of mainland Alaska will keep conditions similar for today. Clear skies, very light wind and relatively mild temps are on tap. The sun combined with mild air temps will be a destabilizing factor today as ridegtop temps look to climb into the low 30s F.

The extended outlook is calling for a continuation of this pattern through the weekend. High pressure over the area will keep all moisture well to our South as we head into the early part of the week.

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

	Temp Avg (F)	Snow (in)	Water (in)	Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′)	25	0	0	31
Summit Lake (1400′)	14	0	0	8
Alyeska Mid (1700′)	19	0	0	19

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

	Temp Avg (F)	Wind Dir	Wind Avg (mph)	Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′)	26	ENE	4	13
Seattle Ridge (2400′)	26	VAR	3	10

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.