Turnagain Pass

Cool temperatures and mild weather this week have been helping the snowpack adjust to a storm that left 6” to 30” of snow throughout our region last Sunday (3/19/17). Slope testers have been hitting the slopes hard and its been several days since any avalanche activity has been reported. Most of these avalanches have been small slabs, not well connected, and have been mostly on solar aspects during the heat of the day. This serves as a good reminder to pay attention to surface conditions as daily warming and sun may cause a sun crust on Southerly aspects to break down. Today’s cloud cover (if thin) and temperatures in the high 20F’s could act as ‘green house’ – trapping warm air. Should you notice wet surface snow or roller balls, it may be possible to trigger a wet avalanche in the afternoon. In Placer/Skookum where snow totals were deeper (2+’ deep), unexpected warming today could ripen the conditions for a bigger avalanche in this zone. Any natural or human triggered wet loose activity will be a sign to avoid steep Southerly slopes in the afternoon. Also be aware of the following avalanche problems:  

LOOSE SNOW AVALANCHES (SLUFFS):  Human triggered dry loose snow avalanches continue to be easily triggered on steep slopes without a sun crust on the surface. Watch your sluff if headed to steep terrain with loose surface snow, they could be larger and run further than expected. 

CORNICES:  There has been a couple of cornice breaks after the storm and cornices are always worth giving a wide berth. Direct sunshine and warming can help to loosen them. 

GLIDE CRACKS: Glide cracks continue to slowly ooze open on Seattle Ridge, Tincan’s Library, Lynx creek and other zones. Keep an eye out for them and limit time spent underneath.

Although this avalanche was from a earlier in the week, if the sun crust starts to become wet today, triggering a wet avalanche may be possible.  

One of several glide cracks opening up in Lynx Creek on a Southeast aspect.