Turnagain Pass Archives
| Date | Rating | Problem #1 | Problem #2 | The Bottom Line |
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 Wind Slabs
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 Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 2500′. Fresh wind slabs up to 12″ deep will be forming today as a storm system impacts the forecast area with 2-8″ of new snow and 20-40 mph east winds. These wind slab avalanches are likely to cause small natural or human triggered avalanches. Below 2500′ the avalanche danger is MODERATE. We expect [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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Today’s avalanche danger is MODERATE. Calm winds, mild temperatures, and the potential for some sun along with another night of little to no refreeze will make wet snow avalanches possible. These will be most likely at lower elevations this morning, but will become a concern at all elevations later in the day as higher elevation [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations. Below 2,000′ warmer temperatures will make it easy to trigger a wet snow avalanche on steep slopes. There is also a small chance of triggering a larger avalanche in mid to upper elevations on a buried weak layer 1-3′ deep. Roof Avalanches: Roof avalanches will continue to release [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. A variety of avalanche concerns exist as warm weather remains over the region. Fresh wind slab avalanches could be found and triggered above 2,000′ on steep slopes and gullies. Cornices are also a concern in the higher elevations along with a chance a larger slab could be [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at all elevations where heavy precipitation is falling. This is in Portage and Placer Valleys and possibly in Girdwood. Turnagain Pass should see less precipitation and expected to remain at MODERATE danger. In general, a variety of avalanche concerns exist as warm, wet, and windy weather remains over the region. Fresh [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, and there is a variety of concerns. Strong easterly winds are expected to continue to form reactive wind slabs up to a foot deep above treeline, and we are still concerned with the smaller chance of triggering a bigger avalanche up to 2 to 3′ deep on a buried [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 frontal system is expected to head our way today, bringing strong easterly winds and light precipitation later in the day. Be on the lookout for fresh wind slabs forming at upper elevations, and expect to find increasing danger if the snow and rain arrives sooner than expected. Keep [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 today. Fresh wind slabs 6-12″ deep that formed overnight are likely for human triggering at upper elevations along ridgelines. Triggering a larger avalanche on a buried weak layer 2-3′ deep remains possible, and is most likely in the afternoon when warm temperatures and sun weaken the snow surface. If [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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Persistent Slabs
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Avalanche danger is expected to rise to CONSIDERABLE by this afternoon and evening with daytime warming. Wet snow avalanches are likely to occur in the mid and lower elevations on steep slopes and will be possible on higher elevation steep sunny slopes. Cornices may become easier to trigger as well and could also break off [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations. By this afternoon, daytime warming may be enough to melt surface crusts and cause natural wet loose avalanches on steep southerly slopes. On shaded slopes, and sunlit slopes in the afternoon, there is still a chance someone could trigger a large slab 2 to 3 feet deep. [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger will start out MODERATE and rise to CONSIDERABLE in the afternoon, as the sun and warm temperatures melt the snow surface. Natural wet loose avalanches are likely on steep southern aspects later in the day which can become large on bigger terrain features. Larger avalanches on buried weak layers 2-3′ deep are also possible [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, and there are several avalanche concerns today. The biggest issue is the lingering possibility of triggering a large avalanche on a weak layer of snow buried 2-3 feet deep. There is also a chance of triggering an avalanche up to a foot deep where yesterday’s winds drifted snow into [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′. The most likely avalanches you will encounter today will be up to a foot deep on wind-loaded slopes. These will be easy to trigger and may occur naturally as winds pick up through the day. The scarier avalanche problem is lurking 2-3 feet deep or deeper, where last week’s storm snow [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE above 1000′. The potential to trigger a large avalanche on a buried weak layer 2-5′ deep still exists. Smaller avalanches in wind loaded areas about 1′ deep are likely today, as snowfall and strong winds impact the forecast area. We recommend sticking to low angle terrain and avoiding runout zones of overhead [Read More] | ||
 Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE above 1000′. Many human triggered avalanches 1-3′ deep occurred yesterday, which is the number one sign of dangerous conditions. Today human triggered avalanches up to 3′ deep in the new snow from this week remain likely, especially in areas that saw strong winds overnight. In addition there are a variety [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Wet Loose
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Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Today is the first sunny day after a storm that deposited 3 to 5 feet of snow in 2 1/2 days. The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at all elevations. Triggering a large slab avalanche 3 to 5 feet deep could be easy to do and result in an unmanageable situation. Warming [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains HIGH in the alpine today. Human triggered avalanches are very likely as over 2.5′ of new snow has fallen in the past 2 days accompanied by strong winds. Fresh wind slabs 1 to 3′ deep will be easy to trigger and may release naturally. Additionally, both storm and wind slabs are [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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The avalanche danger is HIGH at all elevations today. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. With 1.5′-2′ of new snow on the ground, 1′-2′ more new snow expected today and strong easterly winds blowing, dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Both natural and human triggered avalanches 2-3′ deep are very likely today. If you are getting [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger is on the rise today, and will be CONSIDERABLE above 2500′. Another round of snow combined with increasing easterly winds will make it easy to trigger a wind slab avalanche up to a foot deep. Recent snow has buried multiple weak surfaces and is not expected to be bonding well. Dry loose avalanches will [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations. 2-4″ new snow with light easterly winds will form small but sensitive slabs on wind loaded slopes. This round of snow is falling on a mix of crusts, facets, and surface hoar, so it is not expected to bond well. Be on the lookout for touchy wind slabs on [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations today. Human triggered avalanches are still possible on a weak layer of facets buried by 1-2′ of new snow on Tuesday night. We recommend carefully evaluating how well the new snow is bonding to the old snow surface before committing to steep terrain. To avoid this problem entirely stick [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations. Tuesday’s new snow has not entirely bonded yet and there is still a chance of triggering a slab avalanche between 1 to 2 feet deep. The steeper and more wind loaded the slope, the larger the potential avalanche. Additionally, triggering a sluff on steep slopes with loose [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations. Human triggered and natural avalanches 1-2′ deep in areas with active wind loading at upper elevations are the biggest concern. It is also still possible to trigger an avalanche about 1′ deep at the interface with the new snow from Wednesday night in sheltered areas. If the sun comes [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 2500′. Overnight 6-10″ of new snow fell with moderate east winds. This rapid addition of new snow and wind will make human triggered avalanches likely today. Wind slab avalanches could be 1-2′ deep at upper elevations. In areas with 6+” of new snow you could see avalanches even in wind sheltered [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000’. Strong winds are expected to accompany 3 to 8” new snow by this afternoon, increasing the chances of triggering wind slab avalanches up to a foot deep by the end of the day. Be aware of increasing avalanche danger today through tonight as this round of wind and [Read More] |
Below are archived forecasts for the past 5 seasons 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. Alternatively you can view this page for 10 seasons of data plus embedded observations from that day.