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” [Read More] | ||
 Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger is LOW this morning and expected to rise to MODERATE as daytime heating softens surface crusts this afternoon/evening. Human triggered wet sluffs will become possible on any slope ~35 degrees or steeper that warms enough to harbor boot-top wet and saturated snow. These sluffs could be small or large and dangerous pending the terrain. Pay [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations. Triggering a wet loose avalanche is possible on slopes ~35 degrees or steeper that harbor boot-top wet and saturated snow. Pay close attention to the amount of re-freeze that may, or may not, have occurred overnight and how the surface is warming through the day. Avoid being under [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger is LOW this morning and expected to rise to MODERATE as daytime heating softens surface crusts this afternoon/evening. Human triggered wet sluffs will become possible on any slope ~35 degrees or steeper that warms enough to harbor boot-top wet and saturated snow. These sluffs could be small or large and dangerous pending [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger is LOW this morning and expected to rise to CONSIDERABLE as direct sunlight and warm temperatures melt surface crusts and destabilize the snowpack. When the surface snow becomes wet and saturated, triggering a wet loose avalanche will be likely on slopes around 35 ° or steeper. Natural wet loose and wet slab avalanches will be [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger is LOW this morning and expected to rise to CONSIDERABLE through the day as surface crusts melt and the snow loses strength on slopes seeing direct sunshine. Once surfaces melt and boot-top wet saturated snow exists, wet loose avalanches will be likely to trigger on slopes around 35 degrees or steeper. Natural [Read More] | ||
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Spring Conditions
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The avalanche danger will start out LOW but rise to HIGH as warming temperatures melt snow surfaces through the day. Frozen snow surfaces will allow for easy travel and safe conditions this morning, but natural and human-triggered avalanches will be likely when surface crusts melt in the heat of the day. Be careful to avoid being on or below [Read More] | ||
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Spring Conditions
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 Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is expected to reach HIGH again today for springtime natural avalanches on steep terrain facing east, south and west. Cloudy skies have limited last night’s freeze and not only are natural large wet avalanches expected today with daytime warming, but human triggered wet avalanches will be likely on slopes with wet saturated [Read More] | ||
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Spring Conditions
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 Storm Slabs
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We have issued a SPECIAL AVALANCHE BULLETIN for the mountains surrounding Girdwood, Portage Valley, Turnagain Pass and the Kenai mountains to Seward. This bulletin is in effect until tonight. However, dangerous avalanche conditions are expected to continue into this week. The avalanche danger is MODERATE this morning and expected to rise to HIGH again on east, [Read More] | ||
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Spring Conditions
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Storm Slabs
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We have issued a SPECIAL AVALANCHE BULLETIN for the mountains surrounding Girdwood, Portage Valley, Turnagain Pass and the Kenai mountains to Seward. This bulletin is in effect through tomorrow night. The avalanche danger is MODERATE this morning and expected to rise to HIGH again on east, south and west facing slopes this afternoon as intense [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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 Wet Slab
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE, and expected to rise to HIGH on southerly aspects this afternoon as we experience the first major warming event after heavy snowfall earlier in the week. It is very likely a person will be able to trigger a large avalanche as the mostly dry storm snow undergoes rapid warming, and we are also [Read More] | ||
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Wet Slab
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Persistent Slabs
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Today’s avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE. It is likely a person will be able to trigger an avalanche 1′ deep or deeper in the heavy, wet snow that fell yesterday, and we may still see some natural activity. We saw rain as high as 1700’ yesterday and last night, and strong winds have been at work [Read More] | ||
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Wet Slab
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We have issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING through the National Weather Service for the Turnagain Pass area and surrounding mountains. Heavy snowfall, rain, and strong winds have created a HIGH avalanche danger in the mountains surrounding Girdwood Valley, Turnagain Pass, Portage Valley, and areas on the Kenai including Summit Lake and the Seward zone. Dangerous avalanche conditions [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at all elevations today. With fluctuating sky cover, increasing temperatures and wind speeds, natural avalanches are still possible today. Above 1000′ triggering a storm slab avalanche is likely in steep terrain. In addition, triggering an avalanche that steps down to a buried weak layer remains a concern. Below 1000′ triggering [Read More] | ||
 Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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UPDATE at 9am: The avalanche danger is HIGH above 1,000′ in the northern portion of our forecast zone (Girdwood Valley and Portage Valley). Upwards of 18-20″ of new snow and strong wind is creating dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural wind slab and storm snow avalanches are likely in this area. Pay close attention to new snow [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE at elevations above 1000’, but is expected to increase with strong winds and heavy snowfall later this afternoon and into tonight. The size and likelihood of triggering an avalanche will depend largely on the timing of the approaching storm. Pay attention to changing conditions during the day, and be aware [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1,000′. Human triggered wind slab avalanches will be possible. Wind slabs formed by the strong northwest winds over the past two days are expected to be hard, anywhere from inches to several feet thick and may allow a person well onto them before releasing. They also may step down [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE above 1,000′ as strong northwest winds continue over the region. Natural wind slab avalanches and cornice falls are possible. These may step down to buried weak layers, creating a larger avalanche. Watch for blowing snow, shooting cracks and recent avalanches. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential. PORTAGE VALLEY and [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger will rise to CONSIDERABLE above 1000′. Increasing NW winds today, combined with a little bit of new snow, will make triggering a wind slab in mid and upper elevation terrain likely. These may step down to buried weak layers, creating a larger avalanche. Natural avalanches and cornice falls will be possible. Pay [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′. Triggering slab avalanche is possible in the top 3′ of the snowpack. Recently wind loaded slopes are the most suspect. Watch for stiff, drifted snow and cracking. Remember triggering a shallow avalanche could step down to older layers of buried weak snow. Assess the snowpack as you travel, [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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Today’s avalanche danger is MODERATE. Strong winds yesterday into last night have built wind slabs on top of a snowpack with multiple weak layers near the surface, making it possible to trigger an avalanche a foot deep or deeper. It will be important to recognize and avoid steep, wind-loaded terrain today. The combination of stiff [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 2,500′ where strong northwest winds are impacting the high terrain. Fresh wind slabs, up to a foot thick, are likely to form on leeward slopes. Any new wind slab will be likely to trigger and may release naturally in areas seeing the brunt of the winds. Below 2,500′ and [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is expected to rise to CONSIDERABLE above 2500’ as winds and snowfall continue into this afternoon. While the bulk of this storm is expected to hit north of our core advisory area, we will still see some of the action. It is likely a person will be able to trigger an avalanche [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE. Triggering a slab avalanche in the top few feet of the snowpack is still possible due to buried weak layers. Additionally, an increase in southerly ridgetop winds this afternoon/evening may begin to form small wind slabs in specific areas late today. Pay attention to signs of unstable snow, consider the [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE today, and it is still possible to trigger an avalanche on weak layers of snow in the upper 3’ of the snowpack. Careful terrain selection remains important, especially avoiding steep terrain that funnels into traps like cliffs, rocks, gullies, or trees. As temperatures warm up in the afternoon, it will [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE at all elevations. Triggering a slab avalanche that fails on a layer of buried weak snow 1-3′ deep is still possible on slopes 35° and steeper. In addition, watch for small fresh wind slabs in upper elevation terrain as the NW winds continue today. Pay attention to any surface snow [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations. Triggering a slab avalanche 1-3′ deep is possible on slopes 35° and steeper on buried layers of weak snow. With NW winds in the forecast today, watch for wind transport and fresh wind slabs developing at upper elevations. Assess the snowpack as you travel, identify areas of [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today for how we should approach the mountains. Three large natural avalanches released yesterday just south of our forecast zone in Summit Lake, one covering the highway. Although natural avalanches are not expected today, springtime warming and this event deserves our respect for unusual avalanches this time of year. That [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations today. Triggering a slab avalanche 1-3′ deep is possible on slopes 35° degrees and steeper. Terrain that has been recently wind-loaded is the most suspect. Keep in mind that there are buried weak layers in the snowpack. Pay attention to changing conditions as the edge of a storm [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′, where strong northwesterly winds have been forming sensitive wind slabs since yesterday afternoon. It is likely a person could trigger an avalanche 1-2′ deep on steep slopes near ridgelines, below convexities, or in cross-loaded gullies. These wind slabs are forming on top of weak surfaces, making it possible to trigger [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE this morning and expected to rise to CONSIDERABLE above 2,500′ by this afternoon due to a strong northwest wind event peaking tonight. Later today, natural wind slab avalanches will be possible and human triggered fresh wind slabs will be likely. Watch for active wind loading and avoid slopes and cross-loaded [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE. After 6-10″ of new snow yesterday, sluffs and shallow storm slabs, 4-10″ deep, will be possible to trigger on all aspects and elevations. In the Alpine, above 2,500′, wind slab avalanches up to a foot deep will also be possible to trigger. Sunshine today may dampen surface snow, increase the [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE at all elevations but could rise to CONSIDERABLE depending on how much snow falls throughout the day. If this storm produces, triggering storm slabs will be likely. This storm is forecast to favor Girdwood. In addition, it is still possible to trigger an avalanche on weak layers of snow buried [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE today, and it is still possible to trigger an avalanche on a persistent weak layer in the upper 1-3′ of the snowpack. Steep slopes with relatively stiff snow near the surface are the most likely places to find unstable snow. In addition to our persistent slab problem, moderate winds overnight have [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE today, and it is still possible to trigger an avalanche on persistent weak layers buried 1-3′ deep. The most likely place to trigger an avalanche is in steep, previously wind-loaded terrain, with stiff snow near the surface. People have triggered avalanches on these layers in the past two days, clearly showing [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE today. There is still a chance of triggering a slab 1-3′ deep on slopes 35° degrees and steeper. Terrain that has been recently wind-loaded is the most suspect. Keep in mind that there are buried weak layers in the snowpack. Assess the snowpack as you travel, identify areas of concern and [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE today, as there is a lingering possibility of triggering an avalanche 1-3’ deep on weak snow buried earlier this month. The most likely places to find unstable snow will be in steep terrain with stiff snow at the surface. In addition to the persistent weak layers, light northwesterly winds may [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations. Easterly winds are on the rise today and triggering a fresh wind slab up to a foot deep is possible. These are most likely to form along ridgelines and in cross-loaded gullies above 2,500′ or in open steep slopes in the trees that see any active wind [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE at all elevations. With weak layers in the top 3 feet of the snowpack, it still remains possible to trigger a slab avalanche 1-3′ deep. Watch for wind slabs in the mid and upper elevations that could be sitting on weak snow as well as soft slabs at all elevations. [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE at all elevations. There is still a chance of triggering a slab avalanche that fails on weak snow buried between 1-3′ feet deep. Additionally, increasing west/northwest winds today may be enough to create some new shallow wind slabs in upper elevation terrain. Watch for blowing snow and changing conditions. Assess the [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE at all elevations. A bump in northwest winds today may be enough to create some new shallow wind slabs in upper elevation terrain. Additionally, there is still a chance a person or snowmachine could trigger a slab avalanche that fails on weak snow buried between 1-3′ feet deep. Keep in [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE today, and it remains possible to trigger an avalanche on weak snow buried 1-3’ deep. The most likely places to trigger an avalanche will be on steep slopes that have seen recent wind-loading, with stiffer snow on the surface. Pay attention to clear warning signs of instability like shooting cracks, [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE today. With an early morning wind shift from east to west/northwest and snow available for transport, watch for small newly formed wind slabs in the upper elevation terrain and in exposed areas in the trees. Additionally, triggering a slab avalanche that fails on weak snow that is buried between 1-3′ feet [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE in the forecast area. An increase in easterly winds this afternoon, ahead of a storm system tonight, may begin to build new shallow wind slabs. Watch for active wind loading in the Alpine and avoid any fresh wind deposited snow. Additionally, triggering a slab avalanche between 1-3′ feet deep is [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE today, and it is possible to trigger an avalanche 1-3’ deep on a layer of weak facets and surface hoar buried by the new snow from earlier this week. Multiple skier-triggered avalanches on this layer yesterday are a clear sign that these weak layers need time to heal. The best [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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There is a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger above 1000’ due to fresh snow and moderate winds over the last two days. Human triggered wind slabs 2-3’ deep are likely to be triggered today in areas affected by the wind. Cautious route finding and conservative decision making will be essential. Don’t let the draw of sunshine and [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′ due to sustained winds and plenty of snow available for transport. Human triggered wind slabs 2-3′ deep will be likely and may be triggered remotely. Natural avalanches and cornice falls will be possible. Watch for blowing snow, shooting cracks and recent avalanches. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger will rise to CONSIDERABLE in the Alpine (above 2500′) today. With sustained easterly winds, increasing snowfall and weak surface snow, expect dangerous avalanche conditions to develop if the weather forecast verifies. Human triggered wind slabs, 1-2′ deep, will be likely in steep wind-loaded terrain, especially on unsupported slopes and in cross-loaded gullies. [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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An approaching weather system will raise the avalanche danger to MODERATE today at elevations above 1000′. Increasing winds will create sensitive wind slabs on top of weak snow that has developed over the past week, making it possible to trigger an avalanche up to a foot deep. Pay attention to changing conditions as the storm [Read More] | ||
 Normal Caution
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The avalanche danger is LOW at all elevations. Triggering a large avalanche is unlikely. Use caution on very steep, rocky, wind-affected slopes where an old wind slab pocket might be lingering. Be aware of fast moving ‘sluff’ in terrain where getting knocked over could have high consequences. Sunny slopes will be crusty this morning, but [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.