Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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There is a generally LOW avalanche danger in the mountains surrounding Turnagain Pass. Although triggering a slab avalanche is unlikely, old hard wind slabs 1-3′ thick sitting on faceted snow remain. With the right amount of force (several people and/or snowmachines) it may not be impossible to get a slab to pop out. Most suspect areas are unsupported slopes in steep rocky terrain. Steep rocky slopes on Southerly aspects are also suspect for wet loose avalanches due to unseasonably warm temperatures at the upper elevations. Additionally, watch for glide cracks and avalanches, as these may be active this week.
UPCOMING EVENTS!!:
* Hatcher Pass continues to have unstable conditions, check the Hatcher Pass advisory HERE if you are thinking of heading this way. Also – mark your calendars for the FREE rescue workshop at Hatcher Pass on January 14th. More info HERE.
Blue skies, light winds and an uncharacteristically strong inversion continue to dominate our weather. Temperatures reached over 40F on some ridgetops yesterday, this is hard to believe from the single-digit cold air trapped in valley bottoms and parking lots. We got a report of a wet loose avalanche that ran in steep rocky terrain yesterday (photo below). With warm temperatures again today, these small wet loose slides, under rocks heated from the sun, are possible. If you decide to ride/ski on these steep South facing slopes, watch for surface warming in the top few inches of the snowpack and know that triggering a wet loose avalanche is possible.
Despite the ‘green light’ conditions, remember the snowpack has a poor structure on upper elevation slopes that have not avalanched and were loaded by past winds (mainly North and East aspects). Hard wind slabs sit on faceted snow and/or buried surface hoar. Triggering a more dangerous slab that breaks in these layers is unlikely, however with the warm temperatures and variability across the region, it’s not impossible. Keeping up with safe travel protocol is key (exposing one person at a time, grouping up in safe zones and having an escape route planned).
Small wet loose avalanche on South facing Tincan Proper yesterday. Likely triggered by rocks warming loose snow in very steep rocky terrain directly facing the sun. Thanks to Nick Crews for passing this on to us! Read more HERE.
Glide avalanches possible this week: Continued warm temperatures at the upper elevations may enhance ‘glide’ in the snowpack. Watch for glide cracks to open up and a few may release. This pattern is similar to last week when 3 glide cracks released. Known cracks exist on the South face of Eddie’s, Goldpan (behind the Magnum ridge), East face of Seattle Ridge (Northern end) and Southerly slopes near Johnson Pass.
STATE OF THE SNOWPACK??:
Below is a quick look at the snowpack, in terms of how much there is today compared to other years on this day. For snow depth, we are sitting at the 2nd thinnest January 10th, yet there are only data since 2004 when the sensor was installed. For SWE (Snow Water Equivalent), we are sitting at just over half of what we would normally be for this time of year. It has been 12 days since the last snowfall and it’s clear we are in need of a refresh!
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It was a sunny balmy day yesterday in the high elevations – temperatures at 4,000′ were right around 40F. This is quite a contrast to the cold frosty single-digit-air trapped in the valleys. Ridgetop winds yesterday were light and variable and skies were clear.
Overnight, the upper elevation temperatures remained in the high 30’sF while valley bottoms, sitting in the cold pool, are anywhere between -5 and +15F. Temperatures should rise a few degrees during the day, similar to yesterday. Ridgetop winds are expected to be light, 5-10mph from the Northwest and skies clear.
As we keep looking into the weather model “crystal ball” for the next precipitation event, it looks like we could get some cloudy skies and flurries for the weekend.
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
Center Ridge (1880′) | 24 | 0 | 0 | 34 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 10 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 25 | 0 | 0 | 22 |
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
Sunburst (3812′) | 39!! | W | 4 | 10 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 34 | variable | 3 | 8 |
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
03/26/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Sunburst avalanche investigation | Schauer/ Cullen Forecaster |
03/26/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Magnum shoulder | Matthew Howard |
03/25/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge backside – several human triggered large avalanches | CNFAIC Staff |
03/25/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge, 3rd Bowl, Rider Triggered Avalanches | CNFAIC Staff |
03/25/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Pastoral | Tony Naciuk |
03/25/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Eddie’s | James Howery |
03/25/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Eddies lower slopes | Anna Frick Bridget Psarianos |
03/25/23 | Turnagain | Observation: Sunny Side | Peter Wadsworth |
03/24/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Sunburst/Magnum | Megan Guinn & John Sykes Forecaster |
03/23/23 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Magnum | Amanda Goss |
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 |
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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.