Thu, December 14, 2017 Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast

Thu, December 14th, 2017

Alpine
Above 2,500'

Considerable (3)

Treeline
1,000'-2,500'

Considerable (3)

Below Treeline
Below 1,000'

Moderate (2)

Alpine Above 2,500'		Considerable (3)
Treeline 1,000'-2,500'		Considerable (3)
Below Treeline Below 1,000'		Moderate (2)

Danger Scale:

No Rating (0)

Low (1)

Moderate (2)

Considerable (3)

High (4)

Extreme (5)

Avalanche Problem 1

Wet Slab
Almost Certain

Very Likely

Likely

Possible

Unlikely

Likelihood

Wet Slab

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.

Likelihood of Avalanches

Terms such as "unlikely", "likely", and "certain" are used to define the scale, with the chance of triggering or observing avalanches increasing as we move up the scale. For our purposes, "Unlikely" means that few avalanches could be triggered in avalanche terrain and natural avalanches are not expected. "Certain" means that humans will be able to trigger avalanches on many slopes, and natural avalanches are expected.

More info at Avalanche.org

After two weeks of warm storms, heavy rainfall to 2,000-2,500′ and an extended natural wet avalanche cycle, cooler air has finally arrived overnight. As of yesterday, the snowpack was still undergoing a wet avalanche cycle below 3,000′. One of the most notable avalanches was a large slab the released naturally just under the CFR ridge on Tincan, pictured below. Other smaller wet slab avalanches occurred yesterday in the Tincan area along with some on Seattle Ridge. Although natural avalanches are still possible, the natural cycle was decreasing yesterday and is on a continued downward trend today. This is due to cooler temperatures beginning to freeze the surface of the wet snow and only light precipitation expected today (1-2″ snow).

Recent wet/moist slab avalanche on Seattle Ridge

Today’s avalanche problems:
Wet slab avalanches below 3,000′ and dry slab avalanches above 3,000′ are our two main concerns, and they are big ones. We have very little information other than visual observations of the snowpack. What we know is very wet and saturated snow exists below 2,500′. Even though a surface crust may be forming with cooler temperatures last night, that will not rule out the possibility of a wet slab releasing today. These wet avalanches are extremely dangerous and even a small one can be unsurvivable. There are no tests that can be done for determining wet slab potential other than a stout refreezing of the pack stabilizing it.

Avalanche Problem 2

Deep Persistent Slabs
Almost Certain

Very Likely

Likely

Possible

Unlikely

Likelihood

Deep Persistent Slabs

Deep Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a thick cohesive layer of hard snow (a slab), when the bond breaks between the slab and an underlying persistent weak layer deep in the snowpack. The most common persistent weak layers involved in deep, persistent slabs are depth hoar or facets surrounding a deeply buried crust. Deep Persistent Slabs are typically hard to trigger, are very destructive and dangerous due to the large mass of snow involved, and can persist for months once developed. They are often triggered from areas where the snow is shallow and weak, and are particularly difficult to forecast for and manage.

Likelihood of Avalanches

More info at Avalanche.org

Above 3,000′ moist to dry snow has fallen for two weeks now. Again, we have little information for these upper elevations at this time, but we do know prior to the storm cycle weak faceted snow with crust(s) sat near the ground. The slab on top of this weak foundation has now grown to several feet and much more in places. This presents a deep slab problem and will be guilty until proven innocent. In addition to this, storm slabs, wind slabs and cornices are all concerns in the recent storm snow.

As you can see, for today, conservative route-finding will be essential considering the myriad of avalanche problems and the potential for large avalanches.

Weather

Thu, December 14th, 2017

Yesterday was a break in the heavy rain and skies were generally overcast. During the morning hours, .6″ of rain fell in the Girdwood Valley and around .3″ at Turnagain Pass before skies cleared. Ridgetop winds were moderate to strong from the East and have diminished overnight, although both the Sunburst and Seattle Ridge weather stations are not reporting we can look to the Max’s mtn wind data to give us an idea. Temperatures that were very warm during the day (mid 40’s at sea level and 30F at 2,500′) have decreased overnight and are sitting near 32F at sea level and the upper 20’s at 2,500′.

For today, Thursday, light precipitation is on the way as a weak low pressure system spins to our East. Forecasted snow amounts are small – an inch for today and another inch for tonight. The good news is temperatures stay cool and the snow line should fall to 1,000′ and possibly lower! Winds should be light to moderate from the North and West today before picking up tonight from the same direction tonight.

Looking ahead, a larger low pressure will bring another round of precipitation Friday afternoon through Saturday. This system looks to wrap in colder arctic air and snow should fall to 1,000′, and possibly sea level. This system may favor East Prince William Sound and snow amounts in our area may be small. Stay tuned on tomorrow’s forecast!

Glimpse of the Tincan meadows

* Sunburst weather station is down due to loss of battery power.
** Seattle Ridge anemometer is rimed and not reporting.

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

	Temp Avg (F)	Snow (in)	Water (in)	Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′)	33	1	0.3	26
Summit Lake (1400′)	30	0	0.1	9
Alyeska Mid (1700′)	33	3	0.6	19

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

	Temp Avg (F)	Wind Dir	Wind Avg (mph)	Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′)	*n/a	*n/a	*n/a	*n/a
Seattle Ridge (2400′)	29	**n/a	**n/a	**n/a

Observations

Recent Observations for Turnagain Pass

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

Riding Areas

Updated Thu, June 01st, 2023

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	Closed	Closed May 15.
Placer River	Closed	Closed May 15.
Skookum Drainage	Closed	Will close to motorized use on April 1, 2023 per the National Forest Plan.
Turnagain Pass	Closed	Will close on June 1.
Twentymile	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Seward District
Carter Lake	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Lost Lake Trail	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Primrose Trail	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Resurrection Pass Trail	Closed	Closed to motorized use for the 2022/23 winter season per Forest Plan. Open next season.
Snug Harbor	Closed	Extended opening until May 15.
South Fork Snow River Corridor	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.
Summit Lake	Closed	Scheduled closure May 1.