Sat, February 21, 2015 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Sat, February 21st, 2015

Alpine
Above 2,500'

High (4)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

Considerable (3)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

Moderate (2)

Alpine Above 2,500'		High (4)
Treeline 1,000'-2,500'		Considerable (3)
Below Treeline Below 1,000'		Moderate (2)

Danger Scale:

No Rating (0)

Low (1)

Moderate (2)

Considerable (3)

High (4)

Extreme (5)

Avalanche Problem 1

Wind Slabs

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind 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

A modest amount of snow combined with winds will add stress to a snowpack that is hanging in the balance. Fresh slabs up to 1’ thick on steep leeward slopes in the Alpine have the potential to release on their own. Given the warm temps and high level of moisture in the new snow, many of these slabs will “stick” well to underlying surfaces. Because of this it will take steeper slopes, over 35 degrees, to get slabs to move. This concern will be more pronounced where winds are actively loading slopes. These slabs also have the potential to step down into deeper layers in the snowpack.

Snow that feels stiff, sounds hollow or produces shooting cracks and is connected to steeper terrain should be avoided today.

Avalanche Problem 2

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

More info at Avalanche.org

A layer of weak faceted snow sits anywhere from 6” to 3’ below the surface. This layer continues to be reactive in tests. Average slab depths in the Alpine prior to this current storm were 2 feet. Adding into the equation another slab makes this avalanche concern a higher priority in terms of consequences. While it may be more difficult for humans to trigger a slab at this depth, the potential still exists. This layer has also shown high propagation potential. Avalanches occuring at this layer have the potential to pull out across large areas.

Because of this potential travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended today.

Additional Concern

Wet Loose

Wet Loose

Wet Loose avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

More info at Avalanche.org

Rain will weaken the snow surface today. Should the rain/snow line creep above the 2,000’ level, there is potential for wet slab avalanche activity. Below 2,000’ wet loose avalanches are possible in steep terrain. Volume will be generally low. Pay attention to the terrain below you, as terrain traps such as cliffs, gullies, and trees will increase the consequences of being caught in relatively small wet loose avalanches today.

Weather

Sat, February 21st, 2015

Yesterday saw the beginning of a surge of moisture spreading across the forecast area. Warm, wet and windy was the general theme. Ridgetop temperatures were in the high 20s F and low 40s F at sea level. Precipitation began by late morning with the rain/snow line hovering around the 2,000′ level. Below this line rain fell with the Girdwood Valley receiving .5 € and Turnagain Pass picking up .3 €. Snowfall amounts above the rain/snow line range from 3-5 €. Ridgetop winds have been moderate with Seattle Ridge blowing in the 30-40 mph range.

Southerly flow will continue to impact the area today with more of the same. Precipitation amounts will be around .5 € of H20, with snowfall in the 3-5 € range. The rain/snow line will be around the 2,000′ mark. Winds will be out of the East at 25-35 mph. Temperatures will climb to 40 F at 1,000′.

The extended outlook is showing a continuation of this warm, wet and windy pattern through the weekend. Intensity will diminish by tonight, but showery conditions will persist through Sunday and into the early part of next week.

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

	Temp Avg (F)	Snow (in)	Water (in)	Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′)	33	2/rain	.2	43
Summit Lake (1400′)	37	rain	.1	8
Alyeska Mid (1700′)	35	rain	.5	24

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

	Temp Avg (F)	Wind Dir	Wind Avg (mph)	Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′)	27	n/a	n/a	n/a
Seattle Ridge (2400′)	29	n/a	30	67

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.