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ARCHIVED - Forecasts expire after 24 hours.
Issued
Tue, January 2nd, 2018 - 7:00AM
Expires
Wed, January 3rd, 2018 - 7:00AM
Forecaster
Aleph Johnston-Bloom
Avalanche risk The Bottom Line

The  avalanche danger remains HIGH above 1000′  due to rain, heavy wet snowfall and strong winds.    Natural avalanches are likely and human triggered avalanches are very likely today.  As the new snow, rain and wind overloads a weak layer of buried surface hoar and facets, avalanches are becoming larger and more dangerous.  Travel in avalanche terrain is NOT recommended.  This includes areas that are in the runout from avalanche paths above.  

The avalanche danger is  CONSIDERABLE  below  1,000′ where debris from avalanches above may run.

Special Announcements

Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected in the Southern Kenai Mountains (such as, Seward and Lost Lake) due to heavy snowfall.

Join CNFAIC on  Wednesday, January 3rd  from 7pm – 8:30 pm at the Blue & Gold Boardshop  for a discussion on Understanding Weak Layers and the Current Snowpack at Turnagain Pass.  

Tue, January 2nd, 2018
Alpine
Above 2,500'
4 - High
Avalanche risk
Treeline
1,000'-2,500'
4 - High
Avalanche risk
Below Treeline
Below 1,000'
3 - Considerable
Avalanche risk
0 - No Rating
1 - Low
2 - Moderate
3 - Considerable
4 - High
5 - Extreme
Avalanche risk Avalanche risk Avalanche risk Avalanche risk Avalanche risk
Travel Advice Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making essential. Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain.
Likelihood of Avalanches Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.
Avalanche Size and Distribution Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. Very large avalanches in many areas.
Avalanche Problem 1
  • Storm Slabs
    Storm Slabs
  • Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
    Likelihood
  • Historic (D4-5)
    Very Large (D3)
    Large (D2)
    Small (D1)
    Size
Storm Slabs
Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.
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.
Size of Avalanches
Avalanche size is defined by the largest potential avalanche, or expected range of sizes related to the problem in question. Assigned size is a qualitative estimate based on the destructive classification system and requires specialists to estimate the harm avalanches may cause to hypothetical objects located in the avalanche track (AAA 2016, CAA 2014). Under this schema, "Small" avalanches are not large enough to bury humans and are relatively harmless unless they carry people over cliffs or through trees or rocks. Moving up the scale, avalanches become "Large" enough to bury, injure, or kill people. "Very Large" avalanches may bury or destroy vehicles or houses, and "Historic" avalanches are massive events capable of altering the landscape.

Signal Word Size (D scale) Simple Descriptor
Small 1 Unlikely to bury a person
Large 2 Can bury a person
Very Large 3 Can destroy a house
Historic 4 & 5 Can destroy part or all of a village
More info at Avalanche.org

This series of storms continues to build storm slabs and overload the weak layer of surface hoar and near surface facets that formed last week. Yesterday folks continued to trigger small avalanches in the Tincan Trees and observed signs of instability including whumpfing, cracking and hand pits failing on isolation. There was low visibility which made it difficult to see into the alpine but strong winds were rapidly loading leeward slopes. Sunburst saw gusts as high as 102 mph. Temperatures rose and the snow became more and more upside down. Since the storms started on Saturday, Center Ridge Snotel has received 1.8″ of water and mid-elevation stations in Girdwood received 2.4″ of water.  This translates to 15-30″ of total snow since Saturday up high. Unfortunately at lower elevations some of this precipitation came as rain overnight as temperatures rose and rain fell to as high as 2300′. Today the recipe for avalanches is pretty simple. Weak snow has been overloaded by heavy snow, wind loading or rain. Slabs in upper elevation terrain could be 2-4 feet thick.  Travel in avalanche terrain (on slopes steeper than 30 degrees) is not recommended. Runout zones should also be avoided due to the potential for natural avalanches and as always steer clear of terrain traps. Even a small avalanche in the wrong spot could be very hazardous. 

Screen shot of Sunburst Weather Station this am. Note the wind profile since Saturday = rapid loading!

Layer of surface hoar that is buried below the storm snow. This is the weak layer of concern. 

Slopes triggered by skiers and boarders on Sunday were reloaded on Monday. 

 

Avalanche Problem 2
  • Wet Slab
    Wet Slab
  • Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
    Likelihood
  • Historic (D4-5)
    Very Large (D3)
    Large (D2)
    Small (D1)
    Size
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.
Size of Avalanches
Avalanche size is defined by the largest potential avalanche, or expected range of sizes related to the problem in question. Assigned size is a qualitative estimate based on the destructive classification system and requires specialists to estimate the harm avalanches may cause to hypothetical objects located in the avalanche track (AAA 2016, CAA 2014). Under this schema, "Small" avalanches are not large enough to bury humans and are relatively harmless unless they carry people over cliffs or through trees or rocks. Moving up the scale, avalanches become "Large" enough to bury, injure, or kill people. "Very Large" avalanches may bury or destroy vehicles or houses, and "Historic" avalanches are massive events capable of altering the landscape.

Signal Word Size (D scale) Simple Descriptor
Small 1 Unlikely to bury a person
Large 2 Can bury a person
Very Large 3 Can destroy a house
Historic 4 & 5 Can destroy part or all of a village
More info at Avalanche.org

Rain fell overnight to as high as 2300′. It is adding weight to the already stressed snowpack and breaking bonds between snow grains. Water saturating new snow could cause natural wet loose or wet slab avalanches. Triggering wet avalanches in the treeline elevation band is also likely today in steep terrain. This is another reason travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended today. 

Additional Concern
  • Deep Persistent Slabs
    Deep Persistent Slabs
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.
More info at Avalanche.org

In the alpine, above 3,000’, rapidly loading slopes may awaken a large and dangerous deep slab avalanche. At these elevations, a hard slab, 3-5+ feet thick, is sitting on top of weak sugary snow (basal facets) near the ground. As new snow increases the load over this snowpack structure during the current storms, there will be the potential for large natural avalanches. Between storms, human triggered deep slab avalanches will be possible. This is a high consequence avalanche problem that is impossible to outsmart and can take a long time to heal. Keep this in mind as breaks between storms may allow for travel to the Alpine. 

 

Weather
Tue, January 2nd, 2018

Yesterday there were light rain and snow showers in the morning and the next storm system picked up mid-day with low visibility, gusty winds, and heavier snowfall and rain.  Approximately 10-15″ of  additional new snow fell in the upper elevations of Girdwood Valley and the Turnagain Pass area. 24-hour totals are below in the table. Lesser snow amounts were seen on the South end of Turnagain Pass and in the Summit Lake area. Ridgetop winds were Easterly averaging 35-45mph with gusts to 102mph. Temperatures were in the mid 20Fs at treeline and rose to mid 30Fs at 1,000′. Overnight rain fell to as high as 2300′.

Today, rain and snow showers continue with another 5-10″ of snow or .35 inches of rain possible.  Rain/snow line is forecasted to be around 2300′ today. Precipitation will taper off overnight. Temperatures start warm today in the upper 30Fs above 1000′ and 40Fs at sea level.  They will cool down this evening into the 20Fs. This will bring the rain/snow line down, with snow showers possible overnight.  Winds will be easterly 20-30 mph, gusting into the 50s. Winds speeds will decrease in the afternoon.

Wednesday into Friday looks to be a break in the storms with a chance of some sunshine, lighter winds and temperatures in the 20s. Stay tuned for the next storm details, as there is still a fair bit of uncertainty about what the weekend will bring.

*Seattle Ridge is anemometer is rimed and under reporting.

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

  Temp Avg (F) Snow (in) Water (in) Snow Depth (in)
Center Ridge (1880′) 34    9 .8    48
Summit Lake (1400′) 33 1 .2    14
Alyeska Mid (1700′) 32  6  1.35  41

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am – 6am)

  Temp Avg (F) Wind Dir Wind Avg (mph) Wind Gust (mph)
Sunburst (3812′)  23  ENE 42   102  
Seattle Ridge (2400′)  28  *n/a *n/a   *n/a  
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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.
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