Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The avalanche hazard is MODERATE today above 1,000′. Glide cracks continue to release and threaten a substantial amount of terrain frequented by skiers and snowmachiners in the mid-elevations. Time to say it again as we in are in active glide cycle, ‘DON’T MESS WITH THE BROWN FROWN!’ In the Alpine, surface instabilities such as shallow wind slabs and loose snow avalanches are still possible and travel on or underneath cornices should be avoided.
Check out the new video from the Forest Service National Avalanche Center explaining the North American Avalanche Danger Scale. Click HERE.
Tune-up your avalanche skills for Spring Break! Know Before You GO!
Thursday, March 10th we are offering a FREE Avalanche Awareness Class at the Girdwood Community Center from 6:30-8:00 pm. This is sponsored by Powderhound Ski Shop. For more info click HERE. Join CNFAIC avalanche specialist Heather Thamm for a great intro to avalanche education.
Saturday, March 12th join us at Turnagain Pass for a FREE Avalanche Rescue Workshop from 11 am-12:30 pm at the motorized lot on Turnagain Pass. This class is open to everyone. Please bring your beacon, shovel and probe. For more info click HERE. Look for the blue CNFAIC Avalanche trailer. We hope to see you all there!
This has been an active week so far with glide avalanches releasing in popular terrain on the motorized and non-motorized sides of the highway. Yesterday we received a report that the Cornbicuit glide crack released recently; it is worth checking out the observation. This type of avalanche would be unsurvivable. Luckily they are avoidable. Steer clear of existing glide cracks.
Looking down the path of the Cornbiscuit glide avalanche. Photo: Chad Saetre
Close up of the Seattle Ridge glide avalanche crown. There is still more glide crack that could release.
It is still possible to find a shallow pocket of wind slab in steep leeward terrain. These will be most hazardous if you happen to trigger one in a high consequence spot that takes you for a ride over a cliff or into a terrain trap. Look for old stiff pillowed snow and cracking or hollow sounds while traveling.
Loose snow: Loose snow sluffing will warrant management today if skiing the steeps. Sluffs have been reported to be fast moving with the ability to entrain a significant amount of surface snow in big terrain. This will be more pronounced on cooler, shadier North aspects.
If the sun shines on southerly slopes it may be possible to get some surface snow moving as it warms and have wet loose snow activity.
The Seattle Ridge Weather Station is back online after a de-riming mission. Check out the weather link for any recent wind loading HERE.
Avoid travel on or underneath the large cornices that loom over much of the leeward Alpine terrain. We continue to receive reports of these releasing naturally and you definitely do not want to trigger one on your snowmachine or skis. They often break much farther back than you expect and additionally there may be a deep cornice crack along the ridgeline to fall into.
Yesterday was described as a little bit of everything from completely obscured to patches of blue sky and sun. Temperatures were in the mid 20Fs and easterly winds were light.
Today is forecasted to be partly to mostly cloudy with temperatures in the mid 20Fs to mid 30Fs and light easterly winds. Tonight and tomorrow will be similar with minor cooling overnight.
As we move into the weekend there is a chance of snow as the low in the Gulf spins some moisture into the advisory area but overall the weather looks to be fairly benign.
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
Center Ridge (1880′) | 34 | 0 | 0 | 135 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 33 | 0 | 0 | 43 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 32 | trace | trace | 107 |
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
Sunburst (3812′) | 23 | ENE | 10 | 31 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 25 | ESE* | 11* | 31* |
*Seattle Ridge winds were back online at 11 am yesterday.
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
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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 |
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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.