Turnagain Pass

A series of warm and wet storms have created a widespread avalanche cycle across our forecast zone. Over the last three days 3.1 inches of rain has saturated the mid elevations (treeline zone) and rain/snow line has fluctuated between 2000’ and 3000’. A brief window of good visibility yesterday allowed for a look around Turnagain Pass where dozens of recent wet slab avalanches have occurred on all aspects below 3000’. These avalanches have been releasing near the ground on a well documented weak layer of faceted snow. The most interesting (and scary) avalanches observed yesterday were on the West facing terrain of Tincan below 2500’, an area many folks go when the avalanche danger is elevated. This avalanche cycle speaks to the powerful nature of a saturated snowpack and is a reminder that even small terrain features are suspect. An avalanche of this kind, if triggering from below or in a terrain trap, would be unsurvivable. Today another .5” of rain is expected below 2000’ combined with moderate to strong Easterly winds. High avalanche danger will continue through today and will remain elevated until the snowpack has a chance to drain or freeze. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. 

Recent wet slab avalanches were observed yesterday afternoon on the West facing terrain of Tincan. 

 Recent avalanches on Northern and Western aspects of Corn Biscuit.

Dozens of slabs have ripped out to the ground on the SE face of Seattle Ridge and most of the gullies are filled with debris. As of yesterday the uptrack on Repeat Offender remained intact. 

In the Alpine, wet and heavy snow is falling, which becomes drier with elevation. From our rainfall totals at the snow stations over the last three days, we can expect around 3’ of snow has accumulated in the alpine. Cornices are building and the weak pre-existing snowpack continues to be loaded. Storm snow avalanches that include storm slabs, wind slabs and cornice breaks all can be expected today at the high elevations. This snow may also overload and tip the balance of the weak snow sitting near the ground and create a very large avalanche, taking most of the snowpack with it. This size avalanche could run into the lower elevations in steep or channelled terrain.  

Again, the message is simple for today, avoid avalanche terrain. This means steering clear of all slopes 30 degrees and steeper including your exposure to runout zones.