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There is a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger in the backcountry for glide avalanches, wet snow avalanches and storm snow avalanches. Glide cracks continue to release on all aspects under 3,000′. Travel under glide cracks is NOT recommended. At elevations below 2,500′, human triggered wet snow avalanches are likely where rain is saturating the snowpack. And last, at elevations above 3,000′, naturally occurring wind slab avalanches 1-2′ thick are possible.
If you are headed into the mountains today, expert level terrain management and observation skills are key to steer clear of glide cracks, steep slopes with saturated snow and slopes with recent storm snow.
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. |
As a warm band of moisture moves through the region we contine to see rain between 2,000′ and 2,500′ and wet snow above this. So far total rainfall during the storm (beginning early yesterday morning) is around 1 to 2″ in the Girdwood and Portage Valley areas – lesser amounts have been seen on Turnagain Pass and South. We have another .5-.75″ of rain on the way today with snow up high.
Although we are seeing a storm moving through, the main concern will remain focused on glide avalanches. Two new glide cracks released yesterday in the Turnagain Pass region. One (pictured below) was on the South side of Seattle Ridge and the other was on the North face of Sharks Fin. The fact these cracks keep releasing into avalanches should be evidence enough that avoiding travel under glide cracks remains a prudent rule.
Glide avalanche from yesterday on Seattle Ridge (South end across from the Bertha Creek campground)
Keeping an eye on the Seattle Ridge ‘up-track’. The last glide avalanche threathening this popular zone was on Thursday, April 7th.
As rain continues to melt and saturate the snowpack from 2,500′ and below, wet loose snow avalanches are a concern. At these elevations, triggering wet snow sluffs on steep slopes is likely – if one were to travel on steep slopes in this weather. At the elevation band between 2,500 and 3,000′ where wet snow is falling, shallow wet sluffs composed of the new snow are likely to occur naturally. We have not seen the typical springtime large wet avalanches that are compose of the older snow yet, but are watching for this.
Saturated and mostly unsupportable snow exists at the lower and mid-elevations along Turnagain Pass. This photo is near the Sunburst parking lot at 900′ in elevation.
Rain and warm weather is melting the snow out quickly along the South end of Turnagain Pass. Photo is of the Sunburst parking lot looking West toward Seattle Ridge.
At elevations high enough to see dry(ish) snow, storm snow instabilities will be seen. At what elevations will this be? Likely above 3,000′ and in the upper sections of the starting zones along Turnagain Pass. As of this morning there could be anywhere between 6-16+” of snow that has fallen, the most in areas close to Turnagain Arm (Between Girdwood and Tincan). We are looking at another 3-7″ today. With the high winds at these upper elevations, wind slabs 1-2′ thick are likely and could release naturally. Cornice falls are also an issue. both these types of avalanches could entrain wet snow on the way down and run quite far in steep channeled terrain.
A strong frontal system moving through the region has brought rain, up to 2,500, beginning early yesterday morning. Heavy rain fell in Girdwood and as far South as Tincan but only light rain was seen South of the Pass, from Sunburst and on. Ridgetop winds over the past 24-hours have been strong out of the East, averaging ~40mph with gusts to the 70’s. Temperatures are warm, mid 20’s at 4,000′ and reaching the upper 30’sF at 1,000′.
Today the storm system will continue to push through and exit the area by Monday. We should pick up another .5-.75″ of rain up to 2,500′ (possibly higher) with 4-7″ of wet snow above this. Ridgetop winds are slated to remain strong in the 30-40mph range from the East. Temperatures should stay warm with highs today around 40F at 1,000′ and up to 30F on the ridgetops. Both precipitation and wind should decrease overnight tonight and temperatures cool off.
For Monday and Tuesday, a colder low pressure system moves past to our South that may push snow/rain and wind our way. If this low is South enough in the Gulf we could see relatively nice skies, stay tuned on tomorrow’s forecast.
*The Center Ridge SNOTEL is not reporting accurate precipitaiton data. Also, the RWIS Turnagain Pass station is down. Precipitation numbers for Turnagain Pass are estimated at ~1″ of water during this storm (past 30 hours).
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
Center Ridge (1880′) | 36 | not reporting | 0.3* (under reporting) | 114 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 39 | 0 | 0 | 33 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 35 | rain | 0.7 | 101 |
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
Sunburst (3812′) | 27 | NE | 41 | 75 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 28 | SE | 28 | 56 |
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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