Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast RSS

Archives
ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Fri, November 11th, 2016 - 7:00AM
Expires
Sat, November 12th, 2016 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
CNFAIC Staff
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

As we begin November watching the first warm storms pass through, we will post updates on conditions and some educational reminders for the season. Daily advisories will begin the week before Thanksgiving if the snow warrants…so cross your fingers!  And remember, every season posses a new set of avalanche issues, so as we get out in the mountains let’s get our situational awareness up and complacency down.

Check out the latest from what the Nov 9th and 10th storm did to Turnagain Pass. Roughly 2-3′ of new snow fell at the high elevations with rain from around 2,500′ and below. There were several loose snow avalanches that ran near the tail end of the storm. See the photos from both Todd’s Bowl and across the street on Seattle Ridge. There was also one glide avalanche that released on the South face of Sunburst Ridge and a handful of glide cracks beginning to open up. More on that report  HERE.

If you are headed out this weekend:  Keep a close eye on changing weather. Increased wind, additional snow or rain and warming temperatures all can contribute to de-stabilizing the snowpack.

   
Loose snow avalanches in Todd’s Bowl                                             High snow line currently at Turnagain Pass (looking at Seattle Ridge)

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Fri, November 11th, 2016
Alpine
Above 2,500'
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Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
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Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
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Avalanche risk
Alpine
Above 2,500'		 Avalanche risk
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Treeline
1,000'-2,500'		 Avalanche risk
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Below Treeline
Below 1,000'		 Avalanche risk
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Danger Scale:
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Low (1)
Moderate (2)
Considerable (3)
High (4)
Extreme (5)
Avalanche Problem 1
  • Announcement
    Announcement

OK:  Today’s educational theme is GET THE FORECAST and it’s the third of the five GETS!  Know Before You Go video link.  

 

Up here in Alaska there are many areas that do not have an avalanche forecast, so know if you are going to an area with a forecast and make sure to check it! Know the forecast zone and don’t assume the danger will be the same outside of this zone. A map for the Turnagain Pass zone is on the home page of this website. Other forecast products close to Anchorage are:  Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center and the Valdez Avalanche Center.

If you have read this far, you’re probably familiar with the North American Danger Scale – or at least the 5 colors associated with the ‘danger rating’.  What do they all mean and how do avalanche forecasters come up with the danger each day? If you’ve ever wondered this, check out the video below from the National Avalanche Center:

 

 

With all the fine print in the danger scale, what column is most important? The TRAVEL ADVICE. This is your best tool when planning your outing for the day.  

 
And last, have you ever wondered what danger rating most avalanche fatalities occur?  These fatal days are often the first day or two after a storm when skies clear but the snowpack has not yet adjusted to the new snow load.

 

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 Sat, September 23rd, 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
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Placer River
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Skookum Drainage
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Turnagain Pass
Closed
Scheduled opening on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving per Chugach National Forest plan. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Twentymile
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Seward District
Carter Lake
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Lost Lake Trail
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Primrose Trail
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Resurrection Pass Trail
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Snug Harbor
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
South Fork Snow River Corridor
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.
Summit Lake
Closed
Scheduled opening per Chugach National Forest plan December 1. Subject to adequate snow cover.

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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.

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