Turnagain Pass

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.