Wed, December 16, 2015 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Wed, December 16th, 2015

Alpine
Above 2,500'

Moderate (2)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

Moderate (2)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

Moderate (2)

Alpine Above 2,500'		Moderate (2)
Treeline 1,000'-2,500'		Moderate (2)
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

Storm Slabs

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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

Yesterday snowfall was concentrated near Turnigain Arm favoring the Northern side Turnagain Pass and Portage Valley with a total of 3-5” of new snow. Moderate ridgetop winds flipped from the Northeast to a Westerly direction for several hours during the most intense burst of snow flurries. Today another small shot of snow is expected along with moderate winds from the Northeast. Loose snow avalanches and tender wind slabs up to 8-10” thick are possible on steep convex terrain features and just below ridgelines, on all aspects. This unstable snow could have high consequences if triggered on exposed terrain features like cliffs, gullies, and large open slopes.

A total of 2-3’ of new snow has fallen since last Wednesday and has left a mostly right side up snow pack. Many layers of new snow exist as a result of incremental loading and moderate winds in the upper elevations. Visibility is expected to be limited today, but if a window opens up, assess snow conditions carefully at higher elevations.

Snow flurries intensified yesterday in the early afternoon making visibility difficult at Sunburst.

Additional Concern

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

We have been actively tracking several layers of weak snow buried under 2-3’ of new snow over the past week. Data collected over the last 3 days (including heavy impact from motorized slope testers) is pointing towards good stability. Right now this problem is becoming an outlier, but we will continue to monitor these layers with any additional loading or stress to the snowpack.

Weather

Wed, December 16th, 2015

Yesterday snow showers intensified for several hours as a cold front left 3-5 € of snow in the upper elevations of Turnagain Pass and Portage Valley. Ridgetop winds were moderate from the Northeast, switching to a Westerly pattern in the afternoon through late evening. Temps were cool, high teens F in the alpine, and high 20F’s at sea level. Overnight winds were light from the Northeast.

Today expect more showery conditions with another 3-5 € of new snow in upper elevations. Easterly ridgetop winds will increase to 15-30mph this morning and remain moderate into the evening.

Tomorrow more snow showers are anticipated. Temps are expected to increase to freezing 32F at sea level causing mixed rain and snow. Winds are expected to be light to moderate from the East.

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

	Temp Avg (F)	Snow (in)	Water (in)	Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′)	24F	3	0.3	39
Summit Lake (1400′)	19F	1	0.1	15
Alyeska Mid (1700′)	25F	2	0.2	33

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

	Temp Avg (F)	Wind Dir	Wind Avg (mph)	Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′)	17F	Var.	12	54
Seattle Ridge (2400′)	19F	n/a	n/a	n/a

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.