Turnagain Pass Avalanche Forecast
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A generally LOW avalanche danger remains for Turnagain, Girdwood and Portage areas. Although triggering a slab avalanche is unlikely, watch for sluffs on steep shaded slopes. Avoid travel under glide cracks and give cornices a wide berth.
SUMMIT LAKE / SILVERTIP: More caution is advised south of Turnagain Pass as the snowpack is thin and harbors old weak layers.
Today will be another day of Normal Caution (LOW danger). Clearing skies, temperatures generally in the 20Fs and calm winds should not have much impact on avalanche hazard. With afternoon sunshine and as valley temperatures rise above freezing, low elevation solar aspects may see a little surface heating.
“Don’t mess with the brown frown!” i.e. avoid travel under glide cracks. Late last week and into the weekend we saw several glide cracks release into avalanches in the Girdwood Valley and at Turnagain Pass. Although many of these slides are on the smaller side and in areas not commonly traveled, one released Friday, March 1st on Seattle Ridge. As far as the older glide cracks we’ve been monitoring in popular areas such as Magnum, Lipps, Cornbiscuit, these do not appear to be moving as quickly. PSA: Help us keep track of these cracks and send us a photo!
Things to keep in mind if you are headed into the backcountry:
Surface conditions? A stout sun crust has been found on southerly facing slopes. Otherwise, 4-8″ or so of soft re-crystalized (near surface faceted snow) sits over a firmer base on shaded aspects and some sastrugi, old wind crust and/or rime crust can be found along ridgelines. In anticipation of the next storm, we are closely mapping the surface conditions as well as watching for new surface hoar growth.
Sun crusts on Sunburst, 3-3-19. Photo: Allen Dahl
Closer view of the Seattle Ridge glide avalanche that occurred on March 1st and glide cracks to the right, 3-3-19. Photo: Allen Dahl
South of Turnagain – Summit Lake and Silvertip zones: For anyone traveling in this area note that a shallow snowpack with a generally poor structure exists. A variety of old weak layers (facets and buried surface hoar) sit in the mid and base of the snowpack. It is uncertain as to how reactive these layers are at this point and if they could produce a slab avalanche. Assessing the slab as well as the weak layer is important. The most suspect place to trigger an avalanche is steep terrain with old, hard wind slabs sitting on weak snow.
Yesterday: Broken sky cover with a few flurries and some patches of sunshine. Temperatures ranged from the teens and 20Fs to the low 30Fs depending on elevation. Winds were very light and westerly. Skies were cloudy overnight with slightly cooler temperatures and light winds.
Today: Mostly cloudy skies becoming partly sunny by the afternoon. Temperatures in the 20Fs at upper elevations and the low 30Fs near sea level with calm winds. Skies will become cloudy again overnight and winds will be light with temperatures in the 20Fs.
Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy skies with a chance of snow showers, temperatures in the 20Fs and light easterly winds. We are still anticipating an overall pattern change and a storm this weekend. Stay tuned for details!
MORE STATE OF THE SNOWPACK: March 1st Snow Depth chart for Turnagain Pass. Time to do the Low-pressure snow dance… Remember that’s counter clockwise!
PRECIPITATION 24-hour data (6am – 6am)
Temp Avg (F) | Snow (in) | Water (in) | Snow Depth (in) | |
Center Ridge (1880′) | 26 | 0 | 0 | 58 |
Summit Lake (1400′) | 23 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
Alyeska Mid (1700′) | 26 | 0 | 0 | 53 |
Temp Avg (F) | Wind Dir | Wind Avg (mph) | Wind Gust (mph) | |
Sunburst (3812′) | 17 | W | 1 | 5 |
Seattle Ridge (2400′) | 24 | W | 1 | 6 |
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.