Sat, February 07, 2015 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Sat, February 7th, 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 three weeks since the snowpack received any significant load. In those three weeks a total of 4” of snow fell in 1” increments. Temperatures have remained seasonable and winds have for the most part been calm.

What this all adds up to is a snowpack that is generally well adjusted. Triggering an avalanche is possible, but falls into the “outlier” category.

Low volume loose snow avalanches can be triggered on very steep (>40 degrees) sustained slopes. Watch your sluff and steer away from it, especially around terrain traps.

Isolated pockets of recently formed wind slab 6-8” in depth may be found in the higher elevations around the Girdwood Valley. If you make it into these areas, be on the lookout for stiff and hollow sounding snow on steep leeward slopes.

Glide cracks are scattered throughout the forecast area. Minimize time spent under glide cracks as they can release without the normal warning signs.

Aside from these snowpack issues you can expect to encounter firm and icy conditions on approaches (see photo below) with rocks and stumps being obstacles to avoid while exiting the mountains.

Icy Tincan approach

Weather

Sat, February 7th, 2015

A much anticipated wind event for Southcentral AK took place over the last 24 hours. Fortunately Turnagain Pass was spared in this outflow event. We found winds to be calm on ridgetops while in the field yesterday. Light plumes coming off of the higher peaks around the Girdwood, Twentymile, and Portage Valleys could be seen occasionally during the day.

Wind in mountainous terrain is not straightforward. Pictured here are plumes coming off a peak above Twentymile from North winds on Feb 6th. The wind anemometer at sea level shows winds out of the South. photo: Fitzgerald

Wind??

Temperatures were cold, with ridgetops averaging in single digits F.

Today will be a cold one, with temps to remain in the single digits F at ridgetops. Winds will be light out of the North at 5-10mph. We may see some high clouds streaming in from the East as a result of Low pressure spinning in the Gulf of Alaska.

The extended outlook is showing a welcome change in the overall pattern. High pressure that has dominated lately will break down and allow for moisture to make its way to the area. The next chance for accumulating snow will come by Tuesday or Wednesday of the coming week.

*Alyeska Mid station data 7am-2pm due to station malfunction.

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

	Temp Avg (F)	Snow (in)	Water (in)	Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′)	12	0	0	31
Summit Lake (1400′)	0	0	0	7
Alyeska Mid (1700′)	10	0	0	21*

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

	Temp Avg (F)	Wind Dir	Wind Avg (mph)	Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′)	6	ENE	7	23
Seattle Ridge (2400′)	9	S	4	17

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

Date	Region	Location	Observer
01/25/22	Turnagain	Avalanche: Seattle Ridge	Wagner / Keeler Forecaster
01/24/22	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan	Wagner / AJB Forecaster
01/23/22	Turnagain	Observation: Pete’s North	Sykes / Sullivan / Stiegel Forecaster
01/21/22	Turnagain	Observation: Tincan	Sykes / Mehl
01/20/22	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan Proper	Anonymous
01/20/22	Turnagain	Observation: Super Bowl	Schauer/ Rothman Forecaster
01/20/22	Turnagain	Avalanche: Tincan	Kit Barton
01/20/22	Turnagain	Avalanche: Eddies	Andy Moderow
01/19/22	Turnagain	Observation: Lynx Creek	Sykes / Schauer Forecaster
01/19/22	Turnagain	Avalanche: Pete’s North	Anonymous

Riding Areas

Updated Wed, December 01st, 2021

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	Open	Open as of Dec 1st.
Placer River	Open	Open as of Dec 1st. Limited parking due to Portage curve construction.
Skookum Drainage	Open	Open as of Dec 1st. Limited parking due to Portage curve construction.
Turnagain Pass	Open	Open as of Saturday, Nov 27. Be aware of early season hazards (alders/creeks) and open water.
Twentymile	Open	Open as of Dec 1st.
Seward District
Carter Lake	Open	Open as of Dec 1st.
Lost Lake Trail	Open	Open as of Dec 1st.
Primrose Trail	Open	Open as of Dec 1st.
Resurrection Pass Trail	Open	Open as of Dec 1st.
Snug Harbor	Open	Open as of Dec 1st.
South Fork Snow River Corridor	Open	Open as of Dec 1st.
Summit Lake	Open	Open as of Dec 1st.