Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 2,000′ on Northerly aspects for triggering a slab avalanche 2-3′ thick. The likelihood for triggering one of these large slides on steep shady slopes is decreasing, but the consequences remain high. Other areas of concern are fresh wind slabs and loose snow avalanches where up to 6″ of storm snow accumulates today as well as large and overhanging cornices.
Although a storm is slowly rolling in today for the early part of the week, we are still concerned about weak snow sitting under a 2-3′ slab on Northerly aspects. For the past 5 days we have been investigating a number of buried weak layers that were highly reactive Tuesday through Friday and over the weekend have shown signs of gaining strength. Despite the decreasing possibility of triggering a slab, good travel habits are important to stick to if venturing into the soft snow on Northerly slopes. This means exposing one person at a time, watching your partners, having escape routes planned if the snow moves and have all your rescue gear in working order and know how to use it.
Fresh shallow wind slabs and loose snow avalanches may be found today with an expected 2-6″ of new snow. Ridgetop winds are forecast to be just strong enough to move the new snow around and build soft slabs anywhere from 4-8″ thick. These are not likely to pack much of a punch unless more snow and/or wind develops. In some areas they will be forming on a slick crust and if you find a larger 8″ pocket, say, it could run further than expected.
Sluffs in the new snow should be expected on steep slopes (where enough snow accumulates). If steep South slopes warm later in the day, natural wet/damp sluffs will be likely, yet low volume.
Cornices will continue to deserve respect from now until they are melted out or calved off. It’s also important to remember that daytime heating can weaken their roots and increase the likelihood for collapse, natural or human triggered.
Check out the photo from Friday below, yikes. Sadly, Alaska had its third avalanche fatality last week when a cornice broke taking a skier with it. This happened in the Wrangell-St Elias area and while details are currently being gathered, you can see the preliminary write up along with the Nation’s other fatalities HERE.
“Things not appearing as they seem” and “Don’t follow our tracks!” were the quotes referring to the photo. This was sent in to us from two longtime supporters of the CNFAIC that were skiing the North ridge of Eddies Bowl. See their write up HERE.
Yesterday’s impending sunny and warm day was cut short with clouds and a cool breeze moving in by the afternoon. High temperatures were around 30F on the ridgetops and 45F at 1,000′. Ridgetop winds were from the East in the 5-15mph range.
Overnight, precipitation has started up in some areas associated with a large low-pressure system in the Bering. This is pushing a warm front in from the Southwest and up Cook inlet (a good set-up for precipitation in Anchorage). Although Turnagain Pass is still dry this morning, the Alyeska Mid station (1,700′) has picked up 3″ of new snow! We should see an additional 2-4″ of snow through the day. Winds will be light to moderate from the South and East, 10-15mph. Temperatures in the mid-20’s F on the ridgelines and low 30’s F at 1,000′. We should see snow to, or very close to, sea level.
Monday and Tuesday the bulk of the precipitation and stormy weather is expected to hit us. Temperatures look to warm enough for rain as high as 1,000′, possibly higher, and precipitation amounts are in the .5-1″ of water range by Tuesday evening. Stay tuned.
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
Center Ridge (1880′) | 34 | 0 | 0 | 58 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 33 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 35 | 3 | 0.25 | 33 |
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
Sunburst (3812′) | 25 | E | 9 | 26 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 27 | n/a | 10 | 35 |
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
02/07/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Seattle Ridge | Wagner / Keeler Forecaster |
02/07/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Pete’s North | Megan Guinn |
02/05/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Rookie Hill | Tony Naciuk |
01/31/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Johnson Pass area | Megan Guinn / W Wagner Forecaster |
01/29/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Backdoor | AAS-Level 1 1/27-1/30 |
01/28/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | Brooke Edwards |
01/28/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge | W Wagner |
01/28/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Common | Tony Naciuk |
01/27/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | John Sykes |
01/27/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Lynx Creek | Megan Guinn / W Wagner |
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 |
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Glacier District |
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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.