Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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The Bottom Line
The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 2500′ in the Alpine. Human triggered slab avalanches up to 1-3′ thick remain possible due to a weak layer of snow under the Thanksgiving weekend storm snow. Additionally, watch for lingering wind slabs in steep wind-loaded terrain.
| 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, sitting anywhere from 1 to 3′ below the snow surface, is a thin layer of weak snow (buried surface hoar/BSH). An observer yesterday found this layer to still be reactive in a snowpit on Sunburst right around 2500′. This buried weak layer remains a concern. At this point obvious signs of instability may not be observed but the possibility of triggering an avalanche cannot be ruled out. As always use safe travel protocol and choose terrain with consequences in mind i.e. where is the avalanche path and where would I end up if the slope slides? The snowpack profile below illustrates the slab sitting over the weak layer.
Snowpit on Sunburst, December 2, 2018. Observer: Chris Robertson
Snow cover looking south on Turnagain Pass, December 2, 2018. Photo: Allen Dahl
| 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 |
Be on the lookout for wind slabs in steep unsupported terrain. Strong easterly winds on Saturday afternoon may have loaded leeward slopes in the Alpine. It may still be possible to trigger a lingering pocket that could be dangerous. Look for stiff, pillowed snow and cracking and listen for hollow, drum-like sounds.
Yesterday: Skies were overcast and there were very light rain/snow showers. Temperatures were in the mid 30Fs to mid 20Fs. Winds were easterly 10-20 mph with gusts into the 30s.
Today: Cloudy skies in the morning becoming partly sunny. Temperatures will be cooling from the 30Fs into the lower 20Fs as skies clear and colder air moves over the region. Winds will be northeasterly 5-15 mph with gusts into the 20s. Expect overnight temperatures in the low 20Fs and high teens. Clouds will move back in overnight.
Tomorrow: Chance of snow showers and increased easterly winds in the afternoon as the next front moves over the area. The pattern remains active through the week. As usual the temperatures and timing are uncertain. Stay tuned!
*Seattle Ridge wind sensor is rimed over.
| Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
| Center Ridge (1880′) | 33 | 1 | 0.1 | 13 |
| Summit Lake (1400′) | 29 | 3 | 0.3 | 2 |
| Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 33 | 0 | 0.19 | N/A |
| Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
| Sunburst (3812′) | 24 | NE | 11 | 32 |
| Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 29 | *no data | *no data | *no data |
| Date | Region | Location | Observer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/06/20 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Pastoral Peak, north face | Andy Duenow |
| 04/10/20 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Wolverine | Mike Records |
| 04/10/20 | Turnagain | Observation: Eddies lookers right shoulder | Matt Yoder |
| 04/09/20 | Turnagain | Observation: Bench Peak | Mike Records |
| 04/04/20 | Turnagain | Observation: Tincan | Anonymous |
| 04/04/20 | Turnagain | Observation: Pete’s North | Anonymous |
| 03/26/20 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Tincan – Proper (SW facing) | CNFAIC Staff |
| 03/26/20 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Seattle Ridge | W Wagner Forecaster |
| 03/25/20 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Sunburst Uptrack @ 2000′ | J. Boisvert |
| 03/24/20 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain – Road Observations | W Wagner Forecaster |
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.
