Tue, March 15, 2016 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Tue, March 15th, 2016

Alpine
Above 2,500'

Low (1)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

Moderate (2)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

No Rating (0)

Alpine Above 2,500'		Low (1)
Treeline 1,000'-2,500'		Moderate (2)
Below Treeline Below 1,000'		No Rating (0)

Danger Scale:

No Rating (0)

Low (1)

Moderate (2)

Considerable (3)

High (4)

Extreme (5)

Avalanche Problem 1

Glide Avalanches

Glide Avalanches

Glide Avalanches are the release of the entire snow cover as a result of gliding over the ground. Glide avalanches can be composed of wet, moist, or almost entirely dry snow. They typically occur in very specific paths, where the slope is steep enough and the ground surface is relatively smooth. They are often proceeded by full depth cracks (glide cracks), though the time between the appearance of a crack and an avalanche can vary between seconds and months. Glide avalanches are unlikely to be triggered by a person, are nearly impossible to forecast, and thus pose a hazard that is extremely difficult to manage.

More info at Avalanche.org

It’s becoming difficult to keep track of new glide avalanches versus the old. Observers yesterday noticed at least six cracks (maybe more) that have avalanched in the previous 24 hours including one witnessed by a snowboarder from the top of Tincan common yesterday. Glide cracks continue to threaten a lot of prime ski and snowmachine terrain in the mid-elevations (1,000-3,000’). Keep in mind the debris from these can run into snow free areas and threaten some summer trails.

As long as glide cracks continue to open up, move and release, we will stress the importance of avoidance, which is THE ONLY WAY TO MANAGE THIS AVALANCHE PROBLEM.

A complex of glide cracks was first heard, then seen moving and buckling on the SW face of Eddies yesterday. photo: Ryan Lewthwaite

Avalanche Problem 2

Normal Caution

Normal Caution

Normal Caution means triggering an avalanche is unlikely but not impossible.

More info at Avalanche.org

Big crowds (for Alaska anyway!) have been flocking to the Turnagain pass area as spring break for many, has aligned nicely with a good weather window. This makes it all the more urgent to practice safe travel protocol and avoid multiple skiers or riders in avalanche terrain simultaneously. Pay attention to your surroundings and adjacent parties. This holds especially true for snowmachiners where a rider can move over large distances in a very short time. Beyond the human risks, there are some other avalanche hazards to keep on the radar today.

Cornice fall: Very large cornice features loom over many ridgeline and have a tendency to break further back than expected. Give them lots of space, and limit exposure time under them.

Loose snow: Sluffs are fast moving and will be proportional to the slope you are on today. Big terrain will yield big sluffs, particularly on cooler, drier northerly aspects. On slopes with a southern tilt, wet loose avalanches could be initiated later in the day. The biggest threat with both of these is the potential to get knocked off your feet in steep, committing terrain.

Windslabs – On shaded aspects in very steep terrain it is still possible to find an old isolated wind slab. We saw several of these in the 8-12” range on Saturday and Sunday relegated to very steep (45 degrees or greater), unsupported terrain.

Weather

Tue, March 15th, 2016

Mostly clear skies yesterday dominated the region for the 3^rd day in a row with no new precipitation. Temperatures peaked in the upper 30’s at 1,000′. Winds were light to non-existent on the ridgetops before bumping up slightly overnight from the SE.

Today we can expect some clouds to move in with a chance for a few flurries this morning at 1,000′ but don’t expect much for accumulation. Temperatures should reach into the mid-30’s and winds will be light from the east in the 5-15 mph range on ridgetops.

A few more clouds may filter in to our area throughout the week but any precipitation appears to be on the lighter side.

PRECIPITATION 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

	Temp Avg (F)	Snow (in)	Water (in)	Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′)	30	0	0	136
Summit Lake (1400′)	28	0	0	42
Alyeska Mid (1700′)	31	0	0	108

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

	Temp Avg (F)	Wind Dir	Wind Avg (mph)	Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′)	26	SE	7	18
Seattle Ridge (2400′)	24	SE	3	10

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

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

Riding Areas

Updated Mon, May 15th, 2023

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
Johnson Pass	Closed	Closed May 15.
Placer River	Closed	Closed May 15.
Skookum Drainage	Closed	Will close to motorized use on April 1, 2023 per the National Forest Plan.
Turnagain Pass	Open	Chugach NF staff will be assessing daily after May 15th. Please keep machines on the snow and avoid brown spots to keep this area open as long as possible.
Twentymile	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Seward District
Carter Lake	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Lost Lake Trail	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Primrose Trail	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Resurrection Pass Trail	Closed	Closed to motorized use for the 2022/23 winter season per Forest Plan. Open next season.
Snug Harbor	Closed	Extended opening until May 15.
South Fork Snow River Corridor	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Summit Lake	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.