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There is a MODERATE avalanche danger in the mountains surrounding Turnagain Pass for a variety of avalanche problems. First, glide avalanches, that release on their own, are possible at the Treeline elevation band (1,000-2,500). Second, human triggered wet loose avalanches will be possible at this same Treeline band. Third, Wind slab avalanches, up to 2′ thick, and cornice falls are possible in the Alpine (above 2,500′) where it has been lightly snowing and blowing.
We had a GREAT turnout at the 2nd annual Hatcher Pass Avalanche Rescue Workshop!! Over 70 people attended this community supported clinic. A big thanks to the Hatcher Pass Snow Riders Club for hosting a BBQ afterward. This workshop was put on by Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center in partnership with the Friends of the CNFAIC.
Don’t forget about the FREE avalanche awareness class in Palmer Wednesday, February 17th. Everyone is welcome, no registration. It is from 6:30-8pm at the Palmer High School Library. Click HERE for more information!
Travel Advice | Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. | Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. | Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making essential. | Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. | Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain. |
Likelihood of Avalanches | Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. | Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. | Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. | Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. | Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. |
Avalanche Size and Distribution | Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. | Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. | Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. | Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. | Very large avalanches in many areas. |
Although there are many human triggered avalanche concerns out there, glide avalanches remain the primary concern due to their destructive nature. This season is turning out to be a season where mapping glide cracks and limiting/avoiding time under them is just part of the game. The most recent glide we know of that has released at Turnagain Pass was 3-4 days ago on the Eddies ridge.
Photo: Glide avalanche on Eddies, released sometime late 2/10-early 2/11.
While many folks are waiting for the skies to clear and temperatures to cool off before venturing into the mountains, it has been snowing a bit and blowing quite a bit over the past several days in the Alpine – above 2,500′. Specifically, between 1 and 2 feet of new snow has fallen over the past 3 days with winds in the 20-25mph range on the ridgetops from the East. Due to lack of travel and visibility in these areas we don’t have first hand data as to how the wind driven snow is bonding, if cornices are falling and the like. However, we know from past experience that this warm snow is quite sticky and stabilizes relatively quickly. This will most likely be the case for today and into the week. Nonetheless, things to watch for at the upper elevations:
Wind Slabs: Steep slopes that have been, or are currently being, loaded with wind deposited snow are suspect for triggered a wind slab avalanche. These could be 1-2′ or more thick. Watching for cracking in the new snow and jumping on small terrain features and test slopes can be good ways to see how well slabs are bonding.
Cornice Falls: GIVE CORNICES a wide berth!! these are likely to be tender with the warm temperatures and could be deadly if you were to take a fall off a ridgeline with one. Also, similar to glide avalanches, limit time spend under cornices.
*Shallow snowpack zones: South of Turnagain Pass and the Summit Lake area. These areas have old weak layers in the snowpack that, if loaded with enough snow/wind, could produce a large avalanche. This is something to keep in mind if you are headed to these zones this week with the expected clear skies.
It will be another moist day out there. Temperatures dipped to 32F at 1,000′ overnight and it is lightly snowing at the Pass this morning, but temperatures are forecast to climb up again today. Rain up to 1,500′ is possible and we have .2-.4″ of it with 2-4″ of snow in the Alpine. The snow at the mid-elevations is wet and saturated. These are prime conditions for triggering a wet loose avalanche on steep slopes. To initiate a wet loose slide the slope has to be quite steep, but once it starts moving can gain a lot of momentum and run to valley bottoms. Steering clear of steep slopes with ‘boot-top’ wet snow is an avalanche forecaster’s rule of thumb.
Partly cloudy skies with some blue holes covered the region yesterday. Light precipitation fell, adding ~.2″ of rain below 1,000′, and was mostly centered around Turnagain Arm. Around 2″ of snow has fallen in the past 24-hours above 1,500′. Temperatures dropped to 32F at 1,000′ and are holding steady in the mid 20’s on the ridgelines. Winds have been sustained in the moderate range with averages 20-25mph from the East along the ridgetops.
For today, we are expecting mostly cloudy skies along with light precipitation. Between .2-.4″ of rain is expected to fall below 1,500 with 2-4″ of wet snow above this. The rain/snow line is currently around 800′ this morning but looking to climb a bit through the day. Ridgetop winds are expected to remain moderate from the East, 20-25mph. Temperatures remain warm, mid 30’s F at 1,000′ and mid 20’s F at 3,500′.
For Monday we remain in this unsettled warm and showery pattern, but for Tuesday we could see cooler temperatures and a real break in weather.
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
Center Ridge (1880′) | 32 | 3 | 0.3 | 104 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 34 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 33 | 1.5 | 0.15 | 84 |
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
Sunburst (3812′) | 24 | NE | 22 | 54 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 27 | – | – | – |
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
10/27/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan | Michael Kerst |
10/21/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass Road Observation | Trevor Clayton |
10/19/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan – Below Todds Run | Andy Moderow |
10/18/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Taylor Pass | Eli Neuffer |
10/15/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Common | John Sykes Forecaster |
10/14/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan | CNFAC Staff |
05/13/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Eddie’s, Sunburst, Seattle, Cornbiscuit, Pete’s South | H Thamm |
05/13/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass non-motorized side | Amy Holman |
05/12/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Warm up Bowl | Tony Naciuk |
05/07/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass Wet Slabs | A S |
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