Turnagain Pass Forecast Archives
| Date | Rating | Problem #1 | Problem #2 | The Bottom Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′ as winds continue to drift new snow into sensitive slabs 2′ deep or deeper. Human triggered avalanches will be likely with natural avalanches possible on wind-loaded slopes, becoming larger and more sensitive as snowfall continues and winds increase during the day. Cautious route finding and conservative decision making is [Read More] | ||
 Storm Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′ today. Snowfall and moderate winds will build wind slabs up to 2′ deep that are likely to be triggered by a person and possible to produce natural avalanches. In protected areas the 8-16″ of new snow forecast from last night through tonight could produce storm snow avalanches at the interface [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all aspects above 1,000′. Triggering a lingering wind slab or a new wind slab from today’s moderate east wind, is possible. The older wind slabs are generally 1-2′ thick and could be fairly stubborn. Any new wind slab should be shallow and may only form along the higher peaks/ridges. [Read More] | ||
|
Storm Slabs
|
|
There is a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger on all aspects above 1,000′. After yesterday’s storm, we can expect humans to be able to trigger wind slabs, storm slabs, and cornice falls. Wind slabs could be 1-3+’ thick and storm slabs will depend on the depth of the new snow. Cornices have grown and deserve an extra [Read More] | ||
|
Storm Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger is HIGH above 1000′ today. Heavy snowfall and strong winds are creating very dangerous avalanche conditions and travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Wind slabs 1-4′ deep will be very likely for a person to trigger in areas being actively wind loaded. In protected areas avalanches in the new storm snow up to [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 2500′, where it is likely a person can trigger an avalanche 1-2′ deep as strong winds continue to build sensitive slabs through the day. Winds are expected to increase steadily through the day as another storm approaches this evening. Expect to find dangerous conditions near ridgelines, convexities and gullies. [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 2500′ where wind loading and new snow are creating fresh wind slabs. Human triggered avalanches are likely and natural avalanches are possible on slopes being actively wind loaded. Watch for active loading, signs of recent wind transport on the snow surface, and pillowy features on leeward slopes to identify wind slabs. [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger is HIGH above 2500′ as strong winds and continued snow will make natural avalanches likely and human-triggered avalanches very likely. With strong winds since yesterday evening and plenty of soft snow already on the ground ahead of this storm, wind slab avalanches are expected to be 2-4′ deep or deeper. Very dangerous avalanche conditions [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger will start out MODERATE today but will rapidly rise to CONSIDERABLE with the onset of strong winds this afternoon or early evening. Before the strong winds arrive, human triggered avalanches will be possible in areas with lingering wind slabs up to a foot deep. Look for signs of recent snow transport, pillows of snow on [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
An overall MODERATE avalanche danger exists in the mountains. Fresh wind slabs will be building today as 4-8″ of light new snow is expected coupled with moderate easterly winds. Triggering a newly formed wind slab, up to a foot deep, will be possible on wind loaded slopes, predominantly in the higher elevations. On steep slopes [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
 Persistent Slabs
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE in the Alpine, above ~2,500′. Watch for both new wind slabs (due to moderate east winds expected today) and old wind slabs (formed by last week’s strong east winds). New slabs should be small/shallow and easy to trigger (~6-8″ deep) while the older wind slabs are closer to 1-2+’ deep [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Persistent Slabs
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all aspects above 1,000′. It remains possible that a person could trigger an older wind slab avalanche on slopes with prior wind loading. Wind slabs are in the 1-2′ thick realm and could be fairly stiff. Triggering a larger slab avalanche breaking near crusts 2-4+’ deep is becoming less [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE above 2500′, where a thick slab of snow from this week’s storms sits on top of weak snow buried 2-5′ deep. With limited access to the alpine since the snow started falling earlier in the week, it is unclear just how sensitive this setup will be to human triggers. As skies [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Persistent Slabs
|
The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE above 1000′ today. Strong winds and plenty of new snow this week has made it likely for a person to trigger an avalanche 2-5′ deep on wind loaded slopes. In wind protected areas human triggered avalanches are possible on a layer of weak sugary snow above a buried crust about 2′ deep, [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Persistent Slabs
|
Today’s avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′, and it is likely a person could trigger an avalanche 2-5′ deep or deeper following yesterday’s heavy snowfall and continued strong winds today. Human-triggered avalanches will be most likely on wind-loaded slopes, but it will also be possible to trigger a large avalanche on protected slopes, failing on weak snow [Read More] | ||
|
Storm Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger will rise to HIGH today above 1000′. A strong storm system is impacting the forecast area throughout the day with 12 to 24″ of new snowfall and strong winds. Natural avalanches 2-5′ deep are likely and human triggered avalanches are very likely. Very dangerous avalanches conditions exist and we recommend avoiding avalanche terrain and [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE on all aspects above 2,500′. Another round of easterly winds with light snowfall may cause a few natural wind slab avalanches and human triggered wind slabs will be likely. These slabs are 1-3′ thick, composed of Monday’s storm snow, and sitting on a weak surface. Below 2,500′ the danger is [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
Today’s avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 2500′, where yesterday’s heavy snowfall and strong winds have built sensitive slabs on top of weak snow surfaces. It is likely a person can trigger a large avalanche 1-3′ deep, and cautious route finding will be essential. This means avoiding traveling on or below steep slopes, especially just below [Read More] | ||
|
Storm Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today. Strong winds and up to a foot of new snow on top of weak surfaces will lead to dangerous avalanche conditions. It is likely a person could trigger a large avalanche 2′ deep or deeper and large natural avalanches will be possible. Cautious route finding will be essential today, which means [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger will be MODERATE today above 1000′ during the daylight hours, but heavy snowfall and strong winds impacting the area starting this afternoon will be increasing the danger to CONSIDERABLE overnight. In the morning, before the snowfall and winds pick up, human triggered avalanches up to a foot deep will be possible in areas that [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger will rise to MODERATE above 2500′ today, where increased winds could cause fresh wind slabs up to a foot deep to form and be possible for a person to trigger. With a limited amount of snow available for wind transport right now we expect that wind slabs will be relatively small, but due to [Read More] | ||
 Normal Caution
|
|
The avalanche danger remains LOW at all elevations. Triggering an avalanche is unlikely in the majority of the forecast zone. There could still be a chance however a person might find and trigger a small old wind slab on a crust in upper elevation steep terrain. Additionally, small sluffs on steep slopes harboring several inches [Read More] | ||
|
Normal Caution
|
|
The avalanche danger is LOW on all aspects and elevations today. Triggering an avalanche is unlikely, but lingering wind slabs in steep terrain could still exist. The winds died down as of Monday so these pockets of wind slab should be stubborn to trigger. On steep terrain 3-5″ of new snow on top of an ice [Read More] | ||
|
Normal Caution
|
|
There is a generally LOW avalanche danger at all elevations. Although triggering an avalanche is unlikely, there are still some hazards to watch out for. Old wind slabs sitting on a crust could be found scattered about in upper elevation steep terrain. These slabs should be small and somewhat stubborn to trigger. Additionally, sluffs on [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger remains MODERATE above 2,500′ on slopes that have been wind loaded by last weekend’s winds. Triggering a lingering wind slab, up to a foot thick, sitting on a slick crust will be possible. These slabs are scattered around the Alpine terrain and should be fairly easy to spot and could look like [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 2500′ where it will be possible to trigger a lingering wind slab around a foot deep. Look for signs of recent wind loading on the snow surface and shooting cracks to locate areas that have sensitive wind slabs. Just under the surface there is an icy crust that is making for [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger remains MODERATE on all aspects above 1,000′. Triggering a wind slab avalanche, up to a foot thick, will be possible on slopes that saw wind loading yesterday or may see active loading today. Small shallow sluffs will also be possible to trigger on steep slopes. Even a small wind slab or sluff [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′, where moderate NW winds will transport the 3-5″ of new snow into fresh wind slabs up to 1′ deep. Human triggered avalanches are possible on wind loaded features and avalanches could run fast on an icy bed surface. Look for signs of wind transport on the snow surface, hollow [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 2500′ as a weak system brings snow showers and wind to the area today. It is possible a person could trigger an avalanche up to a foot deep on fresh wind slabs forming in the alpine. These will most likely be found just below ridgetops, steep rollovers, and in gullies. Pay [Read More] | ||
|
Normal Caution
|
|
The avalanche danger is LOW today at all elevations. In steep terrain at higher elevations where we saw strong winds yesterday a person could trigger an isolated wind slab up to 1′ deep. The warm and wet weather from earlier this week has created a widespread melt/rain crust on the surface. This crust makes for challenging travel [Read More] | ||
 Deep Persistent Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger will remain MODERATE above 1,000′ on all aspects. Cooling temperatures will be helping to freeze and stabilize the snowpack, yet strong westerly winds may be enough to create new wind slabs in the Alpine. Be cautious on slopes that are still moist/wet from the warm temperatures, especially where the snowpack is shallow, [Read More] | ||
|
Deep Persistent Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger remains MODERATE on all aspects and elevations. Warm temperatures again today will make it possible to trigger a wet loose avalanche or a larger more dangerous slab avalanche that could break in buried weak layers. Areas with a shallow snowpack, mostly found on the southern end of the forecast zone, are the [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Deep Persistent Slabs
|
Today’s avalanche danger is MODERATE. Westerly winds picked up yesterday evening and are expected to continue to create a fresh round of wind slabs through the day. Combined with the above-freezing temperatures since yesterday morning, it is possible a person could trigger an avalanche near the surface up to a foot deep. It is also possible [Read More] | ||
|
Deep Persistent Slabs
|
|
Today’s avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. A weak but warm system is expected to bring light rain all the way up to ridgetops, but it does not look like there will be enough moisture to increase avalanche danger. The main concern is the lingering possibility of triggering an avalanche on weak faceted snow buried 2-5′ deep. [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Deep Persistent Slabs
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. It will be possible to trigger avalanches 1-2′ deep in areas that saw wind loading over the past two days. Strong winds out of the northwest on 12.23 and 12.24 have created sensitive conditions on a variety of aspects and elevations. Evaluate terrain carefully, especially on common wind [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Deep Persistent Slabs
|
The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE above 2500′, where it is still likely a person could trigger an avalanche 1-2′ deep on slopes that have been getting loaded by strong northwest winds since yesterday morning. Winds are expected to continue loading slopes through most of the day into the afternoon before they start to calm down. Expect to [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Deep Persistent Slabs
|
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE in areas exposed to strong northwest winds, primarily above 2500′. Human triggered avalanches 1+’ deep are likely in wind loaded areas and natural avalanches are possible. There is potential for avalanches in wind affected areas below treeline in openings in the forest, so keep an eye out for wind loading even at [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Deep Persistent Slabs
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all aspects above 1,000′. Triggering a wind slab avalanche, up to 2′ thick, that formed during yesterday’s northwest winds will be possible on slopes with recent wind deposited snow. Additionally, there is still a chance a person (or smaller wind slab avalanche) could trigger a larger slab, 2 to [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Deep Persistent Slabs
|
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE in areas being impacted by the strong northwest winds, predominantly above 2,500′. Just after midnight, ridgetop winds increased dramatically. Any new wind slab will likely be easy to trigger by us and may release naturally. Watch for signs of recent, or active, wind loading. Otherwise, on all slopes above 1,000′, [Read More] | ||
|
Deep Persistent Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger remains MODERATE on all aspects above 1,000′. There still exists the chance for a person to trigger a large slab that breaks in old weak layers anywhere from 2-5+’ deep. This type of large slab avalanche could be triggered from below, the side, or on top of a slope. Additionally, a few [Read More] | ||
|
Deep Persistent Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger remains MODERATE above 1000′. It is possible a person can trigger a very large avalanche on a weak layer of sugary facets buried 2.5-5′ deep. An avalanche may be triggered after there are already multiple sets of tracks on a slope, and they may be triggered remotely from the side, above, or below [Read More] | ||
|
Deep Persistent Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger remains MODERATE above 1000′. It is possible to trigger a very large avalanche on a layer of weak sugary snow buried 3-5′ deep. These avalanches can also be triggered remotely (from above, below, or to the sides of steeper terrain). Conservative terrain selection and awareness of steeper slopes above you is the [Read More] | ||
|
Deep Persistent Slabs
|
Wind Slabs
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE since it is possible to trigger an avalanche 3-6′ deep on a deeply buried layer of weak, sugary facets. This layer is becoming more stubborn as we move farther out from the last major loading event, which makes it possible that a person could trigger an avalanche after there are multiple sets [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Deep Persistent Slabs
|
The avalanche danger remains MODERATE at all elevations. With higher wind speeds today and light snowfall forecast to start this afternoon, triggering a 1′ deep avalanche in wind loaded areas is possible. The larger concern is a deeper layer of weak sugary snow buried 3-5′ which could create very large avalanches that are possible to be [Read More] | ||
|
Deep Persistent Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger remains MODERATE for all aspects and elevations. Triggering a large slab avalanche, breaking in buried weak layers, is still possible. A slab like this could be 3-5′ feet deep and be triggered remotely (from below, the side, or the top of a slope). Additionally, triggering a lingering wind slab is also possible in [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Persistent Slabs
|
The avalanche danger is a scary MODERATE for all aspects and elevations. Triggering either a lingering wind slab or a larger and more dangerous slab (scary) breaking in buried weak layers is possible. Wind slabs are likely to be found in exposed areas above treeline. A larger slab, which could break 3-5′ deep, could be [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Persistent Slabs
|
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′ today. Human triggered avalanches 1-3′ deep are likely in areas with recent wind loading. Very large avalanches on a layer of weak sugary snow buried 3-6′ deep are also possible to be triggered by humans or smaller avalanches. Triggering one of these larger avalanches will be more likely in [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Persistent Slabs
|
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′ as northwest winds continue to build sensitive wind slabs on top of a snowpack that harbors a layer of weak, sugary facets buried 4-6′ deep. A relatively small wind slab triggered near the surface can step down to create a large avalanche on that deeper weak layer. Large avalanches on [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Persistent Slabs
|
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at all elevations today. Human triggered avalanches 1-3′ deep are likely especially in wind loaded areas. Winds during the last storm were out of the east but are currently blowing out of the northwest, so wind slabs could exist on a variety of aspects. Very large and destructive avalanches in a layer [Read More] | ||
|
Storm Slabs
|
Persistent Slabs
|
The avalanche danger will remain HIGH today because we received up to 2′ of new snow in the past 24 hours, with most of that falling in the last 12 hours. Large human triggered avalanches 2-4′ deep will be very likely in the new snow, especially in areas that received recent wind loading. It is likely that [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.