Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE near and above treeline (above 1000′). The recent storm has loaded a weak snowpack. Triggering a slab 1 – 2+ feet thick is likely on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Remote triggered avalanches are possible. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential today.
Below 1000′ the avalanche danger is MODERATE where wet snow has cooled to form a breakable surface crust, but an avalanche from above is still possible.
*Below Treeline: ICE CLIMBERS in Portage Valley: Avalanches today could be triggered remotely and propagate into higher terrain, sending debris over climbing routes.
Motorized use on Turnagain Pass is closed due to insufficient snow cover. Please see riding area status at the bottom of this page for the most up-to-date information.
Snowmachine Specific €“ Avalanche Safety and Lessons Learned at AMDS, December 5th @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm | FREE Join CNFAIC forecasters at Alaska Mining and Diving Supply for a talk about lessons learned from past avalanche events and get your brain in gear for avalanche season.
The CNFAIC Events Calendar is filling up with avalanche education opportunities. Check it out and find a class that is right for you!
**For Hatcher Pass avalanche conditions see hpavalanche.org.
The snowpack in the advisory area remains touchy and the hazard continues to be elevated due to the slab, 10-20″ thick, sitting on a weak layer of faceted snow. This weak snow rests either on the ground or overlying a melt-freeze crust near the ground. This is not a set-up that will stabilize quickly, i.e. persistent slab. As the slab becomes more cohesive it may actually become more consequential. Yesterday the snowpack was “talkative” and observers noted many whumpfs, shooting cracks and some remotely triggered avalanches. These are all red flags. The snowpack is clearly saying, “Hey, I am unstable!” Step off of the skin track once in while and if you hear or feeling something let your group know. Triggering a slab on steep terrain remains likely, especially in leeward, wind loaded areas. Collapses (whumpfs) may propagate failure over large pieces of terrain and remotely triggering an avalanche is possible. This means you could trigger an avalanche from below while putting in a skin track. Eddies and Seattle Ridge both have this potential. Many slopes have slid but that doesn’t mean that the ones that haven’t, won’t. Steep slopes with cracking on them may still release. Be aware of runout distances and terrain traps. Overall it is still fairly shallow and rocky, and getting caught in an avalanche could take you for a very unpleasant ride. Staying on slopes less than 35 degrees will be crucial in terrain choices today. In addition pay attention to other groups in the area. Where you step may cause an avalanche in steeper terrain onto another party or you may expose yourself to another groups remote trigger.
Small avalanche remotely triggered yesterday by stepping off of the skin track.
Avalanche triggered remotely by snowboarder on the adjacent slope. Photo: Mike Ausman
Avalanches in a gully feature, Tincan Trees.
In wind exposed areas of the alpine the new snow/old snow interface is more variable, and wind slabs may have formed in places without weak faceted snow underneath. These wind slabs are likely isolated, 1-2’ thick on leeward features below ridge tops. Wind slabs could be soft or hard depending on exposure to winds and if triggered could release a larger persistent slab lower down on the slope. Today is not the time to be pushing into steep terrain. Avoiding slopes greater than 35 degrees is recommended.
Avalanches off of CFR and the ridge below in leeward terrain.
Yesterday was partly cloudy with light easterly winds that shifted to the west overnight. Temperatures were in the mid 20Fs to mid 30Fs during the day and cooled into the low 20Fs overnight.
Today will be mostly sunny with highs in the upper 20Fs. Winds will be light and southerly. Overnight there is a chance of snow, 1-2″. Temperatures will drop into the low 20Fs-high teens.
Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy with snow showers. Another 1-2″ is forecasted to fall. The storm track for Saturday looks to favor the Susitna Valley as it moves up Cook Inlet from the SW. The next system on Sunday is a low with the favorable SE flow that could bring precipitation to the advisory area. The NWS forecast discussion this morning was less confident on the timing and details. Definitely stay tuned for precipitation amounts, wind speeds and temperatures… think cold thoughts.
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
Center Ridge (1880′) | 33 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 25 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 28 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
Sunburst (3812′) | 21 | E | 9 | 22 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 25 | rimed | rimed | rimed |
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 |
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.