Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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Following a three-day storm a MODERATE avalanche danger exists in Turnagain Pass. In the Alpine (above 2500′) be aware of very large cornices and lingering wind slabs 1-2′ thick on leeward terrain features. At treeline glide avalanches continue to threaten large amounts of steep real-estate on all aspect below 2500′. The travel advice for glide cracks and cornices are similar, avoid being on or under either, both are extremely unpredictable. Should sky cover clear earlier than anticipated today, pay attention for warming daytime temperatures and sun induced wet-loose activity at all elevations.
*Shallow snowpack zones: South of Turnagain Pass and the Summit Lake area. These areas have old weak layers in the snowpack that have received additional weight and stress from wind, warm temps, and precipitation. This is something to keep in mind if you are headed to these zones this week with the expected clear skies.
Do you frequent Hatcher Pass? Mark your calendars!
Wednesday, February 17th a FREE Avalanche Awareness Class hosted by Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center in partnership with F-CNFAIC and the Hatcher Pass Mountaineering Huts Group. Join CNFAIC Avalanche Specialist Aleph Johnston-Bloom at the Palmer High School Library from 6:30-8pm.
Saturday, February 20th Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center is having their annual fundraiser at Gov’t Peak Chalet near Hatcher Pass. This event will feature a slide show by local climber and ski mountaineer, Kirsten Kremer. Click HERE for more info on both events.
Wind Slabs: Over the last three days moderate Easterly winds and heavy snowfall have loaded leeward terrain features above 2000’. Today light winds and a trace of new snow is expected. Should visibility allow for travel into the upper elevations, be aware of lingering wind slabs in steep terrain. Expect slabs to be 1-2’ thick and watch for cracking in the new snow. Hand pits and jumping on small terrain features and test slopes can be good ways to see how well slabs are bonding.
Cornices: Cornices have been growing to enormous sizes and will be tender today. Steer clear and don’t put yourself directly on or under a cornice. They can break much further back along a ridge than expected and their extra large size has the potential to trigger a lingering wind slab below.
A Cornice that has formed along “CFR” ridge above Common Bowl on Tincan, estimated to be ~15′ tall. The biggest its been all season.
Warm temps, rain and wet snow have been adding weight and stress to glide cracks throughout Turnagain Pass. These unpredictable hazards cover many steep slopes between 1000’ to 2500’ and continue to release without warning. Look for the large upside down ‘brown frowns’ and avoid hanging out directly underneath glides. Several glide cracks have released in the last few days including a new one on Sharks Fin.
Seattle Ridge is covered in large glide cracks that span most of the East Face along Turnagain Pass.
Southwest face of Sharks Fin as seen from the Seward Hwy yesterday. Exact timing of this glide avalanche is unknown, but likely in the last two days.
Freezing overnight temperatures are helping the lower elevations form a light crust and water continues to drain from a saturated snowpack below 1500’. Today daytime temperatures may reach the mid 30’s and wet loose avalanches will be something to monitor. If the snow is wet and slushy avoid steep terrain where loose wet snow has the potential to gain momentum and entrain deeper into the snowpack.
*Isolated snow and rain showers are in the forecast for today, but should the sun find its way through the clouds, be on the look out for wet loose activity in the mid to upper elevations. I know… this seems a little premature, but since the surface snow is light and dry, it doesn’t take much solar exposure to affect new snow.
Yesterday temperatures cooled to 32F at Turnagain Pass and light snowfall was observed during the day. Visibility was mostly obscured with a few periods of broken skies. Winds were light from the Northeast and ridgetop winds averaged in the low teens (mph.)
Overnight temps remained just below freezing and no new precipitation was recorded. In Girdwood light rain stopped around midnight and winds remained light from the Northeast.
Today scattered rain and snow showers are expected. Temperatures could rise into the mid 30’s F with light rain to 1500.’ Winds will be light from the Northeast and sky cover could clear off enough to see patches of sun by late afternoon.
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
Center Ridge (1880′) | 31 | trace | 0.1 | 101 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 33 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 32 | 3 | 0.39 | 87 |
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
Sunburst (3812′) | 25 | ENE | 11 | 49 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 27 | ~ | ~ | ~ |
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 |
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 |
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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.