Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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Today the avalanche danger is HIGH in the Alpine (above 2500′) where natural avalanche activity is likely due to high winds and heavy precipitation. A CONSIDERABLE danger exists at Treeline where natural glides avalanche and wind slabs +3′ thick are possible and could easily entrain wet snow below 1500′. Below treeline (1000′) a MODERATE danger exists where an avalanche in steep channeled terrain could run into this elevation band.
South of Turnagian Pass, including Johnson Pass and Lynx Creek, a variety of weak layers persist within the snowpack. Today strong winds and precipitation will be adding stress to the snowpack and warrants extra caution in these areas. Click HERE for details about a large avalanche triggered in Groundhog Creek on Saturday in Lynx Creek area and for recent observations from Summit Lake click HERE.
Today is day two of a warm and wet storm that has dumped 1.5” of water (15-20” of new snow) in the upper elevations of Turnagain Pass. Rain was observed to 1000’ yesterday, but with rising temperatures rain will easily reach 1500’ today and maybe higher. Strong Easterly winds and another 12” of new snow (.9” of water) is expected today and will be adding stress to a variety of avalanche problems.
Wind Slabs: Stormy conditions continue to make wind slabs our primary concern for the upper elevations. Triggering a wind slab +3’ thick is likely on wind loaded and cross loaded features. Below 3000’ these wind slabs are sitting on an old snow/crust combo and may propagate further than expected. Until more information is known about how this new snow is bonding to this interface give large open slopes like Magnum’s West face and the East Face of Seattle Ridge extra space today.
Wet Snow: Wet snow is sitting on a slick crust in the mid elevation band. Rain to 1500’ will be lubricating this poor interface making wet avalanches possible in the mid elevation band. This hazard will be especially dangerous under big open slopes and in terrain traps like gullies or abrupt transitions where an avalanche from above could have high consequences. Keep slope angles under 35° and pay close attention to your runout zones. Natural activity is possible in steep channeled terrain and will likely entrain wet snow.
Cornices: Cornices will be unstable today and may release naturally. These features have been tender over the last week and now have the added stress of high winds and new snow. These backcountry bombs can easily trigger a a wind slab below and should be avoided.
Below 3000′ a stout crust + old snow combo is sitting under under 2′ of storm snow. Click HERE for an observation from yesterday.
Warm temps, rain and wet snow continue to add weight and stress to glide cracks throughout Turnagain Pass. These unpredictable hazards are widespread in steep terrain between 1000’ to 2500’ and can release without warning. Today’s limited visibility will make it challenging to identify existing glides, and is an added reason to avoid being on or under steep terrain.
Since yesterday 1.2 € of water has been recorded; 14 € of new snow at the Center Ridge weather station. Northeast ridgetop winds have averaged in the 30’s with gusts in the 50’s. Temperatures have been on the rise pushing rain as high as 1500′ early this morning. Yesterday rain/snow line hovered around ~1000′ most of the day.
Today another 0.9 € of water is expected to fall, another 12 € in the alpine. Temperatures will remain warm with rain below 1500′. Easterly ridgetop winds will remain moderate to strong throughout the afternoon.
Tonight temps look to be cooling slightly bringing rain/snow line back down to ~1000′. Easterly winds and precipitation will be decreasing this evening, but scattered showers are expected into tomorrow.
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
Center Ridge (1880′) | 31 | 14 | 1.2 | 106 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 33 | 1 | .1 | 29 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 33 | 6 | 1.06 | 75 |
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
Sunburst (3812′) | 24 | ENE | 31 | 64 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 26 | ~ | ~ | ~ |
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
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03/26/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Sunburst avalanche investigation | Schauer/ Cullen Forecaster |
03/26/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Magnum shoulder | Matthew Howard |
03/25/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge backside – several human triggered large avalanches | CNFAIC Staff |
03/25/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge, 3rd Bowl, Rider Triggered Avalanches | CNFAIC Staff |
03/25/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Pastoral | Tony Naciuk |
03/25/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Eddie’s | James Howery |
03/25/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Eddies lower slopes | Anna Frick Bridget Psarianos |
03/25/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunny Side | Peter Wadsworth |
03/24/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Sunburst/Magnum | Megan Guinn & John Sykes Forecaster |
03/23/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Magnum | Amanda Goss |
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.