Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast RSS

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ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Fri, December 4th, 2015 - 7:00AM
Expires
Sat, December 5th, 2015 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Wendy Wagner
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

The majority of terrain in the heart of Turnagain Pass has a  generally  LOW  avalanche danger, this includes the upper elevations. Areas of MODERATE danger exist both on very steep slopes and in terrain within the ‘periphery’ forecast zones, such as Girdwood Valley, Silvertip and Summit Lake on the Kenai.  

*Weak snow near the ground does remain in scattered areas, although triggering a slab avalanche breaking near the ground is trending toward unlikely, this set up warrants caution. When pushing into steeper terrain, be sure to practice safe travel techniques such as exposing one person at a time on a slope, discussing potential consequences if the slope does slide and always watch for signs of instability before committing.  

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Fri, December 4th, 2015
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Moderate (2)
Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Low (1)
Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
No Rating (0)
Avalanche risk
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Avalanche risk
Moderate (2)
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Avalanche risk
Low (1)
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
Avalanche risk
No Rating (0)
Danger Scale:
No Rating (0)
Low (1)
Moderate (2)
Considerable (3)
High (4)
Extreme (5)
Avalanche Problem 1
  • Dry Loose
    Dry Loose
Dry Loose
Dry Loose avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.
More info at Avalanche.org

For almost a week now intermittent snow showers have added a welcome 8-12″ of low density snow at the mid-mountain elevations. Another round last night added 2-3″ of this. Snow quality continues to be reported as “excellent” – especially above treeline where “dust-on-crust” conditions disappear. Winds have been light over the past few days and are expected to be light again today, however, with such loose snow available for transport, keep in mind it can be blown into slabs easily. Otherwise, watch for sluffing on steep slopes.

Additional Concern
  • Persistent Slabs
    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

How is the ‘snowpack structure’ looking as a whole? In general, pretty good. However, we are tracking a layer of old faceted snow that sits near the ground. This layer is likely responsible for some very sizeable natural avalanches during the Thanksgiving weekend storm, yet signs point to the layer adjusting since then and becoming unreactive. Until we gather enough data to rule this potential weak layer out, it’s something to keep in mind.

Weather
Fri, December 4th, 2015

Generally mild weather has been over us for the past 6 days. We have seen light Easterly winds, isolated snow showers and temperatures in the mid 20’s F on the ridgetops and near freezing at sea level.

Overnight, a quick moving disturbance added roughly 2-3″ of light snow at Turnagain Pass and Summit Lake while Girdwood Valley looks to have seen around 4″. Winds are light and variable currently and slated to turn back Easterly in the 5-10mph range today. Skies should be partly cloudy this morning before filling back in later today with a chance for another 1-2″ of low density snow this evening. Temperatures have dropped to the lower 20’s F on the ridgetops where they should remain today.

This weekend looks to be nice with partly cloudy skies, temperatures in the 20’s F and light winds. Stay tuned.

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

  Temp Avg (F) Snow (in) Water (in) Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′) 26   2   0.2   25  
Summit Lake (1400′) 24   2   0.2   12  
Alyeska Mid (1700′) 27   3.5   0.25   20  

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

  Temp Avg (F) Wind Dir Wind Avg (mph) Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′) 22   NE   5   16  
Seattle Ridge (2400′) 24   N/A   N/A   N/A  
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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.

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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.