Turnagain Pass Forecast Archives
| Date | Rating | Problem #1 | Problem #2 | The Bottom Line |
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 Spring Conditions
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The CNFAIC is no longer issuing avalanche advisories for Turnagain Pass and surrounding regions. Although the forecast season has finished, the avalanche season has not – please see below for some tips on NAVIGATING THE BACKCOUNTRY IN SPRINGTIME. Current conditions? Keep tabs on our Observation Page! We will be posting any observations/reports sent in to us. “Like” the [Read More] | ||
 Storm Slabs
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 Wet Slab
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The avalanche danger is HIGH as a storm continues to unfold. Heavy precipitation and strong winds will make large storm slab avalanches 1-4′ deep very likely. With over an inch of rain on snow up to 1800′, large wet slab avalanches will also be likely. These avalanches have the potential to run into valley bottoms and over [Read More] | ||
 Wind Slabs
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Wet Slab
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The avalanche danger will rise to CONSIDERABLE as stormy weather starts to pick up during the day. Strong winds and increasing snowfall will make it likely a person will be able to trigger a wind slab avalanche up to a foot deep by the end of the day at higher elevations. Pay close attention to changing [Read More] | ||
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Spring Conditions
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 Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger will start out LOW today but will quickly rise to HIGH as the snow surface melts and springtime natural avalanches become likely on east, south, and west facing terrain. With clouds moving into the area around 4 am it is uncertain how much the snow surface refroze last night, and the timing of the surface crust [Read More] | ||
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Spring Conditions
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE for naturally occurring large wet springtime avalanches. These can be wet loose, wet slab or glide avalanches. They can be very dangerous and are releasing in high-use areas. Additionally, triggering a lingering slab avalanche 1-3′ thick on upper elevation northerly facing slopes is still possible. Cornice falls will also be [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Wet Slab
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′. Storm slabs and wind slabs 1-3+’ deep that formed during the storm over the past 2 days are the primary avalanche problems and are likely to be triggered by a person and possible for natural triggering. Cautious route finding and careful snowpack evaluation is recommended before entering avalanche terrain today. [Read More] | ||
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Wet Slab
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Storm Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE as a warm storm has brought over 2′ of snow to upper elevations and rain on snow to lower elevations, making large human triggered avalanches likely and natural avalanches possible. Two days of above-freezing temperatures will make it likely we could see very large wet slab avalanches failing deeper in the snowpack. [Read More] | ||
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Wet Slab
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Storm Slabs
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The avalanche danger is rising to CONSIDERABLE as strong wind, rain and snow impact the region. Up to a foot of new snow could accumulate by this evening in the high terrain while rain on snow will destabilize the mid and lower elevations. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely. These will [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Wet Slab
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The avalanche danger will start out LOW at all elevations, but will rise to MODERATE above 2500′ this afternoon as winds pick up ahead of a storm system entering the area. In the afternoon and evening fresh wind slabs up to a foot deep are likely to build at upper elevations in shaded areas with dry snow available [Read More] | ||
 Normal Caution
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 Glide Avalanches
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A LOW avalanche danger remains over the region. Although it will be unlikely a person will trigger an avalanche, there are still concerns to be aware of. Cornices are very large and can be triggered by people along ridgelines. If the sun heats up the solar aspects enough this afternoon/evening, wet loose avalanches may be [Read More] | ||
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Normal Caution
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Glide Avalanches
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The avalanche danger is LOW, but that does not mean avalanches are impossible today. There is still a very small chance of finding isolated and stubborn wind slabs in upper elevations, and loose wet avalanches will become increasingly likely as the snow surface heats up later in the day. If you plan on accessing steep terrain [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Glide Avalanches
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 2500′. Lingering wind slabs created over the past 24 hours could be up to a foot deep and are possible for a person to trigger. These should be isolated to upper elevation ridgelines, cross loaded gullies, and convex rollovers. If the clouds break up and the sun comes out today [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Glide Avalanches
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. Conditions are going to be more reactive today than they have been for the past few days, as a bump in winds will make it possible to trigger wind slab avalanches up to a foot deep. Watch out for heightened avalanche conditions on steep, wind-loaded terrain. The danger is LOW below [Read More] | ||
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Normal Caution
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The avalanche danger remains LOW at all elevations and human triggered avalanches are unlikely. However, glide avalanches have been releasing naturally along southern aspects in Turnagain Pass this week and areas with existing glide cracks or recent debris from glide avalanches should be avoided. Other hazards to pay attention to today are cornice fall and wet loose [Read More] | ||
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Normal Caution
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The avalanche danger remains LOW on all aspects and elevations. Even though it’s unlikely a person will trigger an avalanche, there are still some key hazards to look for. Limit any exposure under glide cracks, these have been releasing into avalanches over the past 3 days. Continue to give cornices a very wide berth; they [Read More] | ||
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Normal Caution
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The avalanche danger remains LOW over the forecast region. Although it is unlikely to trigger an avalanche, there are still dangerous wintertime mountain hazards. Be sure to give cornices a bigger berth than you might think. People have been able to trigger these over the past few days. Glide avalanches are starting to occur. We [Read More] | ||
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Normal Caution
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The avalanche danger is LOW. It is unlikely (not impossible) that a person can trigger an avalanche. Keep an eye out for pockets of unstable snow on upper elevation northerly slopes, isolated wind slabs in the alpine, and increasing likelihood for wet loose avalanches as the snow heats up later in the day. Be mindful of [Read More] | ||
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Normal Caution
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There is an overall LOW avalanche danger for the Turnagain Pass forecast region. Low danger does not mean no danger and there are a few things to keep a lookout for. First, small slabs might still be triggered on steep upper elevation northerly aspects. Cornices, give these an extra wide berth, they are large, warming [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. Northwest winds continue to build reactive wind slabs, making it possible for a person to trigger an avalanche 1-2′ deep. There is also a smaller chance of triggering a deeper avalanche on a layer that was buried last week. Carefully evaluate the snow for signs of instability before getting into [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′ today. Light snowfall with increasing northwesterly winds through the day will build fresh wind slabs, making it possible to trigger avalanches up to a foot deep on wind loaded slopes. There is a smaller chance of triggering an avalanche on deeper weak layers buried 1-2′ deep. The danger is LOW [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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There is a MODERATE avalanche danger on all aspects above 1,000’ today. It will be possible to trigger a lingering wind slab 12-18” deep on wind loaded slopes given the moderate southeasterly winds that we’ve seen impact the core advisory area between Tuesday morning and Wednesday afternoon. Additional concerns include a crust/ weak layer combo [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE above 1,000′ on all aspects. Fresh wind slab avalanches, up to a foot in depth, will be possible to trigger on wind loaded slopes. This is due to sustained moderate southeasterly ridgetop winds that began yesterday evening. There also remains a chance a person could trigger a larger slab, up [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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 Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE today on all aspects above 1,000′. Watch for fresh wind slabs that could form with 2-4″ of new snow and moderate southerly winds. These could be in the 6-10″ deep range and be possible to trigger on wind loaded slopes steeper than 30 degrees. Additionally, there is still a chance [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. Light winds and snow showers later in the day should not be enough to elevate the avalanche danger, but it is still possible to trigger an avalanche around a foot deep where last week’s snow is sitting on weak surfaces. There is also still a lingering possibility of triggering [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′. It is likely a person will trigger an avalanche failing below the snow that fell on Friday, which buried weak surfaces and will still be reactive today. There are also deeper weak layers lurking 3-6′ deep that have the potential to make very large avalanches. This dangerous combination of avalanche [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′. Wind slabs and storm slabs 1-3′ deep are very likely to be triggered by a person and natural avalanches are possible. The new snow over the past 24 hours is not bonding well to the old snow surface, with widespread avalanche activity on small terrain features near treeline yesterday. Deeper [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′. Strong winds and light snowfall are once again burying weak surfaces, making it likely a person can trigger an avalanche 6-12″ deep in Turnagain Pass and Girdwood, and up to 2-3′ deep by the end of the day in Portage and Placer. In addition to the potential for avalanches in [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 2500′. Moderate east winds are building fresh wind slabs up to a foot deep at upper elevations that are likely to be triggered by a person and possible for natural avalanches. The potential to trigger a very large avalanche on a deeper weak layer also exists, with multiple layers of buried [Read More] | ||
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Deep Persistent Slabs
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 Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE on all aspects above 1,000′. Triggering a very large slab avalanche over 3 feet deep is possible. These slabs could be triggered remotely and could release over an entire slope creating a very large and dangerous slide. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential. Additionally, wet loose avalanches are likely [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1,000′ on all aspects. This is A HEADS UP SNOWPACK as large deadly avalanches could be triggered by people. After a week of snow resulting in 4-6+ feet at the mid and upper elevations with strong easterly ridgetop winds, the mountains need time to adjust to the load. Due to [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is HIGH at all elevations, and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Another storm is impacting the forecast area today adding stress to an already stressed out snowpack, with potential for very large natural and human triggered avalanches. The consequences of being involved with this type of avalanche are dire, and it is [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′, and there are two big concerns for today. Winds are expected to increase during the day, making it likely a person will be able to trigger an avalanche where the wind is building sensitive slabs 1-2′ deep or deeper. The other, and potentially more dangerous, avalanche problem is the possibility [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains HIGH at all elevations today and an AVALANCHE WARNING has been issued through 6 pm Saturday, March 26th. Over the past three days the forecast area has received roughly 3.5 to 5.5′ (yes, feet) of new snow with strong winds averaging 20-40 mph and gusts up to 80 mph. We recommend avoiding [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is HIGH for a second day in a row and an AVALANCHE WARNING remains in effect. This is due to heavy snowfall and strong winds in the mountains surrounding Turnagain Pass, Girdwood Valley, Portage Valley, and other areas on the Kenai. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist on all slopes 30 degrees and steeper – [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is HIGH at all elevations. A powerful storm is forecast to produce up to 30+” of snowfall across the forecast area over the next 24 hours, with 10-16″ of snow having already fallen over the past 24 hours. Human triggered avalanches 2-4′ deep are very likely and natural avalanches are likely, especially in treeline [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger will be rising to CONSIDERABLE through today in the upper elevations. Increasing easterly ridgetop winds, with a few additional inches of new snow, will be forming new wind slabs. These could be up to a foot thick, easy for people to trigger, and could release naturally. At elevations above 1,000′ there is [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all aspects above 1,000′. Triggering a slab avalanche that fails on a buried layer of surface hoar between 1 and 2 feet deep is still possible. Additionally, watch for fresh wind slabs to be forming in the upper elevations due to a bump in easterly ridgetop winds accompanied with [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all aspects above 1,000′. Triggering a slab avalanche between 1-2′ thick remains possible due to a layer of buried surface hoar. These avalanches are most likely to occur on shaded slopes, but can also be triggered on southerly facing slopes later in the day when sun crusts warm. Wet [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. It is possible a person will trigger an avalanche 1-2′ deep where yesterday’s winds created sensitive slabs with the snow that fell during the second half of the week. In addition to these lingering wind slabs, there are two weak layers of buried surface hoar in the upper 1-3′ of [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 2500′. Consistent moderate winds over the past 24 hours have created fresh wind slabs along ridgelines and cross loaded gullies that are likely to be triggered by a person and possible for natural avalanches. These wind slabs may be sitting on top of a layer of buried surface hoar from 3.16.22 [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. Moderate winds and a steady trickle of snow over the past two days will make it possible for a person to trigger a wind slab avalanche up to a foot deep. This new snow is falling on a snowpack with two different layers of buried surface hoar in the [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. Wind slabs at upper elevations along ridgelines and cross loaded gullies are possible for a person to trigger. Storm slab avalanches in protected terrain are also possible in areas that receive higher snowfall totals such as Girdwood, Portage, or Placer. An older layer of buried surface hoar from 3/2 is [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on all aspects above 2,500′ due to strong east winds with several inches of new snow. Fresh wind slab avalanches in the 1-2′ deep range will be likely for people to trigger and may release naturally in the upper elevations. Winds may also build slabs below 2,500′ and a MODERATE [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all aspects above 2,500′. It remains possible a person could trigger an avalanche 1-2′ deep on a weak layer of buried surface hoar at the upper elevations. Additionally, watch for lingering wind slabs up to a foot deep that formed Sunday. The danger is LOW below 2,500′, where triggering an avalanche [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. A period of elevated winds yesterday created fresh wind slabs at upper elevations that could be up to 1′ deep and are possible for a person to trigger today. This fresh wind loading occurred on top of buried persistent weak layers that can be difficult to identify in the snowpack [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. It is possible a person can trigger an avalanche 1-2′ deep on a weak layer of buried surface hoar that is present throughout the advisory area. The layer was buried 11 days ago, but with two near-misses involving human-triggered avalanches in the past two days, it is clearly still cause [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. Lingering wind slabs 1-2′ deep are possible for human triggering today and will most likely be found at upper elevations along ridgelines and cross loaded gullies. Larger avalanches releasing on persistent weak layers are also possible, so careful evaluation of the snowpack is recommended before entering avalanche terrain. Wet loose [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. Light snow and moderate winds over the past 48 hours have made it possible for a person to trigger an avalanche up to 1-2′ deep. The most likely places to trigger an avalanche will be near ridgelines, convex rolls, and steep gullies. There is also a layer of buried surface [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 2500′. Over the past 24 hours 2-6″ of new snow and moderate winds have created fresh wind slabs up to 2′ deep that are likely to be triggered by a person and possible for natural avalanches. Another 2-4″ of snow is expected today with sustained moderate winds which will continue to [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. Up to 3″ of snowfall and moderate winds today will create fresh wind slabs up to 2′ deep which are most likely to be found at upper elevations. Active weather will make natural avalanches possible in the afternoon and the avalanche danger will trend towards CONSIDERABLE in the alpine. [Read More] |
Below are archived forecasts for the past seven years with the highest danger rating and Avalanche Problem 1 displayed in the chart. Click on a table cell to read the forecast for that day.