Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast RSS

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ARCHIVED FORECAST - All forecasts expire after 24 hours from the posting date/time.
Issued
Sun, November 20th, 2016 - 7:00AM
Expires
Mon, November 21st, 2016 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Wendy Wagner
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

There remains a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger in the Turnagain Pass area on all aspects at elevations near and above treeline. Human triggered slab avalanches up to a foot in depth are LIKELY and it is possible they could release on slopes as low as 20-25 degrees. This problem is due to a widespread layer of buried surface hoar underneath last week’s snow.  

At lower elevations, in the trees, a MODERATE danger exists where triggering a slab avalanche is possible in open areas or debris running into this zone from an avalanche above is possible.

***The Summit Lake area on the Kenai looks to have a similarly unstable snowpack. Weekly summaries will begin on December 2nd.  

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Sun, November 20th, 2016
Alpine
Above 2,500'
Considerable (3)
Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
Moderate (2)
Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
No Rating (0)
Avalanche risk
Alpine
Above 2,500'		 Avalanche risk
Considerable (3)
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'		 Avalanche risk
Moderate (2)
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'		 Avalanche risk
No Rating (0)
Danger Scale:
No Rating (0)
Low (1)
Moderate (2)
Considerable (3)
High (4)
Extreme (5)
Avalanche Problem 1
  • Persistent Slabs
    Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slabs
Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.
More info at Avalanche.org

What a weekend to begin the forecast season here at the CNFAIC. During the last two days we have had over 10 human triggered avalanches. One of these was on a popular low angled slope (Manitoba) in the Summit Lake area. Luckily, from what we know of, no one has been injured in any of these slides. A lost ski and pole on Friday from an individual caught and carried in Tincan Common Bowl seems to be the worst of it so far. With this, we have had 10 public observations in the last two days describing the events and details – thank you for making time to send us your information !!

The problem with the snowpack is a layer of buried surface hoar that sits below new snow from last Thursday. Areas on the North side of the Pass (Tincan and Eddies) saw 10-12″, while the Southern side (Sunburst and over to Summit Lake) saw 5-8+”, hence this buried surface hoar is anywhere from 5-12″ below the surface and is the thickness of slabs folks are triggering. Slabs are soft and releasing while people are riding them as well as being triggered remotely from above or the side.

Two notable characteristics of this avalanche problem:
1-  Releasing on very low slope angles, angles in the 20’s (one was measured at 18 degrees!).
2-  Running much further than expected

If you are headed out today, be very wary of any slope near treeline or above treeline that has not avalanched. Keep slope angles low and be aware of crossing under slopes above you. If the light gets poor (new snow and wind are expected tonight), be aware of your return route – as not to get suckered somewhere you don’t want to go. Today is another day to be extra conservative – we have a long and hopefully snowy season ahead. 

Photo below: Human triggered soft slab avalanches on Sunburst.

 

Photo below:  Human triggered avalanche just above treeline on Tincan. Note the debris that ran over the skin track. More on this report HERE.

 

Again, thank you to the many people submitting observations – if you haven’t done so already, take a few minutes and check them out.

Weather
Sun, November 20th, 2016

Partly cloudy skies yesterday gave way to some sunshine later in the day with valley fog up to 1,500′. There was no precipitation and temperatures were in the mid 20’s F. Winds were light and variable. Overnight, a trace to an inch of new snow fell at Turnagain Pass.

Today, Sunday, a short lived storm system will move in from the East. Skies are expected to become mostly cloudy by the end of the day with light snow beginning to fall. Ridgetop winds will be Easterly around 10mph and picking up tonight into the 25-35mph range. Overnight, we could see anywhere from 4-8″ of new snow. Temperatures will be in the 20’s F and it looks like snow should fall to sea level again – so cross your fingers!

On Monday, snowfall and wind are expected to tapper off by mid-day and temperatures cool slightly. It looks like we will have a break in weather Tuesday and into Wednesday with temperatures staying in the low 30’s at sea level and the mid 20’s in the mountains.

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

  Temp Avg (F) Snow (in) Water (in) Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′) 23   1   0.1   18  
Summit Lake (1400′) 21   0   0   3  
Alyeska Mid (1700′) 23   0   0 3  

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

  Temp Avg (F) Wind Dir Wind Avg (mph) Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′) 19   East    5 18    
Seattle Ridge (2400′) 21   N/A (sensor rimed)     N/A (sensor rimed)     N/A (sensor rimed)    
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Riding Areas
Updated Tue, January 12th, 2021

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
Open
No parking in turnaround at end of the road near the outhouse.
Placer River
Open
Early season conditions exist, including thin ice on rivers, swamps and lakes. Please do not ride along Railroad tracks. Cross tracks at 90 degree angle and clear the right of way.
Skookum Drainage
Open
Early season conditions exist, including thin ice on rivers, swamps and lakes. Please do not ride along Railroad tracks. Cross tracks at 90 degree angle and clear the right of way.
Turnagain Pass
Open
Twentymile
Closed
Seward District
Carter Lake
Open
Lost Lake Trail
Open
Primrose Trail
Open
Resurrection Pass Trail
Closed
Closed for the 2020/21 winter season.
Snug Harbor
Open
South Fork Snow River Corridor
Open
Summit Lake
Open

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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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