Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on all aspects and elevations above 1000′. A weak layer of snow has been overloaded by heavy snow, rain and strong winds over the past few days. Natural avalanches are still possible and human triggered slab avalanches are likely on slopes steeper than 30 degrees. Remote triggered avalanches from below slopes, next to and above are also possible. Deep slab avalanches remain a concern above 3000′. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential.
Below 1000′, where little snow exists, the avalanche danger is MODERATE where an avalanche releasing from above could send debris through steep channeled terrain into this zone.
Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected in the Southern Kenai Mountains (such as, Seward and Lost Lake) due to heavy snowfall.
Join CNFAIC Director Wendy Wagner TONIGHT, 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.
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 |
Yesterday there was enough visibility to look around and see the evidence of a natural avalanche cycle in the advisory area. This confirmed that the new snow, strong winds and rain overloaded the weak layer of buried surface hoar and near surface facets. The connected slab avalanches on Eddies were the most notable in Turnagain Pass. The crowns extended along terrain features. Today any additional snow will add weight to the storm slab over the weak layer. Surface hoar and near surface facets are buried now by 1-3′ of snow. Slopes that didn’t avalanche naturally could now be teetering on the brink of failure just waiting for a human trigger. Conservative decision-making is essential today. Slopes harboring surface hoar and near surface facets may also be triggered remotely.
There really is a smorgasbord or buffet of issues to consider if you decide to venture out today. Strong winds have loaded leeward aspects and potentially created winds slabs as well as growing cornices. At lower elevations if there is still saturated snow wet avalanches are possible in steep terrain. As temperatures cool these will be less likely and the crust that was noted to 2300′ may have grown stouter and more supportable. The “railroad skiing”/ breakable crust will hopefully improve. In addition, pay attention to whether or not the new snow that falls to today bonds to the crust.
Recent natural avalanches on Eddies.
The buried surface hoar is the suspected weak layer and our layer of concern.
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 |
In the alpine, above 3,000’, the storms over the past few days have added additional load to slopes that already have a hard slab, 3-5+ feet thick, is sitting on top of weak sugary snow (basal facets) near the ground. We have been talking about this for weeks now. At these elevations, human triggered, large and dangerous deep slab avalanches ARE still 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 improving visibility in the next few days may allow for travel to the Alpine. It is really important to remember that triggering an avalanche in the upper layers of the snowpack on may then initiate a deep slab avalanche. Cautious route-finding is essential. This includes thinking about the remote trigger potential from below.
Yesterday was mostly overcast with a few breaks in the cloud cover. There were rain and snow showers on and off throughout the day. Rain/snowline went as high as 2300′ in the morning and then crept back down to around 1500′. Temperatures were in the mid to high 20Fs in the alpine, 30Fs at mid-elevations and 40Fs at sea level. Overnight the temperatures cooled a bit. Winds were easterly 15-25 mph gusting into the 50s, slowing down in the evening.
Today will be mostly cloudy with rain and snow showers. Rain/snowline is forecasted to be around 800′. 1-5″ of snow, .25 water is possible throughout the day. Temperatures will be in the mid 30Fs to mid 20Fs. Winds will be light and variable. There is a chance of continued snow showers into the evening as temperatures cool into the teens. Skies will clear overnight.
Thursday and Friday look to be clear and sunny with calm winds and temperatures in the 20Fs. There is snow in the forecast for the weekend but the timing, amount and temperatures are still TBD. Stay tuned and keep thinking cold powder thoughts!
*Seattle Ridge anemometer is rimed.
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
Center Ridge (1880′) | 35 | rain | .2 | 46 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 33 | rain | .2 | 14 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 34 | .5 | 1.5 | 36 |
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
Sunburst (3812′) | 25 | ENE | 25 | 62 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 28 | *n/a | *n/a | *n/a |
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 |
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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.