Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE today in Turnagain Pass for cornice fall, lingering wind slabs, and glide avalanches. Triggering a large cornice or an old wind slab 1-2′ is possible today and will become more of a concern throughout the day as the sun adds stress to solar aspects. Glide cracks continue to open up and move and can release spontaneously without warning. Evaluate the terrain for any of these issues and pay close attention to how the sun is affecting the surface snow on sunny aspects.
*Yesterday we received word of a large natural avalanche South of Grandview along the railroad corridor. Observations over the last few weeks have identified several buried weak layers within the snowpack in the Summit Lake area. No information is known about the structure of this particular avalanche, but is something to keep in mind if venturing into Lynx Creek or the Summit Lake zone.
Due minimal snow coverage and signs of snow machine impact to exposed vegetation the Primrose Trail access to Lost Lake has officially closed today, March 3, 2016. Thanks to many of you who have made an effort to stay on the trail and to educate others about the consequences of tearing up the vegetation. Until this area recieves more snow the trail will remain closed.
Cornice fall may be one of the larger hazards today with sunshine acting to weaken these already tenuous bombs. Cornices right now are LARGE and UNPREDICTABLE– some bigger than semi-trucks and some with large cracks extending their full length. Yesterday melting snow and dripping water could be seen on cornice faces during the heat of the day along Magnum Ridge. Today the sun will continue to weaken cornices making human triggered (snowmachine or skier) and natural cornice fall more likely in the afternoon. Limiting time spent under these is key and giving them extra room along ridgelines will be necessary. Not only would it suck to trigger a cornice while on top of one, imagine what it would be like if people were also below it. Evaluate all ridgelines and slopes for potential cornice fall and be weary of existing skin tracks and up-routes. There are many areas where the “normal” route is in the line of fire.
Magnum Ridge Cornice – The estabilshed skin track is directly on top of 30-40′ cornice feature.
Same corniced ridge on Magnum. Note the long crack observed on February 18th before a 10 day storm added more weight and stress to this cornice. Photo by Amanda Goss.
Strong winds during a 10-day storm have created layers of wind-affected snow throughout Turnagain Pass. Observations over the last several days have been showing this problem to be stabilizing, however today’s warm temperatures and direct sun could be a catalyst for a human triggered wind slab. Triggering a wind slab is still possible on slopes steeper than 35 degrees especially on slopes with unsupported terrain features. Ease into steeper terrain with caution and avoid solar aspects if you find moist surface snow or see wet loose point releases in motion.
Glide cracks are moving and coming out of hiding after they were covered by wind and snow during the storm cycle. Although it has been several days since the last glide crack we know of released and avalanched, they are still on the move. Limiting time spent under cracks is crucial, as they will mow anything down in their path if one does release.
Very large glide crack on the SW shoulder of Cornbiscuit – view from the Seward Hwy. The entire SW face of Cornbiscuit has extensive glide cracks. Click HERE for more pictures from yesterday.
Yesterday skies were clear and sunny and temperatures reached mid-high 30’s F during the warmest part of the day, around 2pm. Calm winds switched directions mid day from an Easterly direction to a Westerly direction. Overnight skies remained clear and temperatures dropped into the teens to mid 20’s F.
Today Westerly winds are expected in increase slightly 10-15mph along ridgetops. Skies will remain sunny and day time temperatures are expected to spike mid day.
Tomorrow a pattern shift is expected with a possibility of scattered snow showers.
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
Center Ridge (1880′) | 27 | 0 | 0 | 140 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 22 | 0 | 0 | 42 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 28 | 0 | 0 | 105 |
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
Sunburst (3812′) | 28 | NE becoming W | 4 | 10 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 24 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
01/31/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Johnson Pass area | Megan Guinn / W Wagner Forecaster |
01/29/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Backdoor | AAS-Level 1 1/27-1/30 |
01/28/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | Brooke Edwards |
01/28/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge | W Wagner |
01/28/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan Common | Tony Naciuk |
01/27/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunburst | John Sykes |
01/27/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Lynx Creek | Megan Guinn / W Wagner |
01/25/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Cornbiscuit | John Sykes Forecaster |
01/22/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan | Schauer/ Guinn |
01/21/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge | Elias Holt |
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.