Turnagain Pass Archives

Date	Problem #1	Problem #2	The Bottom Line
Mon, November 29th, 2021	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger has risen to CONSIDERABLE on all aspects above 1,000′. Strong east ridgetop winds with light snowfall have begun this morning and will be forming sensitive wind slabs on any slope that is seeing active wind loading. Wind slab avalanches could be up to 2 feet deep and may occur naturally while human [Read More]
Sun, November 28th, 2021	Persistent Slabs		The avalanche danger will remain CONSIDERABLE above 2500’, where it is still likely a person could trigger an avalanche 1-2’ deep on multiple weak layers that were buried by the storm earlier in the week. Be cautious with your terrain choices, and keep in mind these avalanches may be triggered remotely from above, below, or [Read More]
Sat, November 27th, 2021	Persistent Slabs		The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE at higher elevations above 2500’, on all aspects. Human triggered slab avalanches 2-3’ thick are likely on slope angles above 35 degrees. Multiple layers of weak snow exist throughout the advisory area and have been buried by 20-34” of new snow this week. Avalanches can be triggered remotely from low [Read More]
Fri, November 26th, 2021	Persistent Slabs		The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE at the higher elevations, above 2,500′, on all aspects. Human triggered slab avalanches, 2 feet deep or more, are likely on slopes 35 degrees or steeper. This is due to weak snow underlying the new settled snow from the past several days. Avalanches could be triggered remotely (from the bottom, [Read More]
Thu, November 25th, 2021	Storm Slabs		The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE above 2500′. We have had 15-30″ of new very light snow in the past few days falling on top of a weak snow surface. Human triggered avalanches up to 2′ deep will be likely today. Look for signs of instability like shooting cracks and collapsing or whumphing. Cautious route finding [Read More]
Wed, November 24th, 2021	Storm Slabs		The avalanche danger will remain CONSIDERABLE above 2500’ today. It is still likely a person could trigger an avalanche 1-2’ deep or deeper in yesterday’s storm snow, which brought 12-16″ snow along with strong ridgetop winds. While wind loaded slopes will be the most sensitive, there is enough storm snow on top of weak, sugary [Read More]
Tue, November 23rd, 2021	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	The avalanche danger today is CONSIDERABLE above 2500′. New snow and increasing winds will make it likely a person could trigger a wind slab avalanche up to 2′ deep, and it is possible we will see some natural activity. Since this new snow is falling on weak surfaces, avalanches will also be possible on slopes that haven’t [Read More]
Mon, November 22nd, 2021	Wind Slabs	Glide Avalanches	A MODERATE avalanche danger remains above the treeline and in wind exposed areas at ~2500′ and above. It will be possible to trigger wind slabs about 6-12″ deep in steeper terrain. Look for isolated wind slabs in higher elevation terrain and near ridgelines by identifying wind texture on the snow surface and stiff snow over softer snow. [Read More]
Sun, November 21st, 2021	Wind Slabs	Glide Avalanches	A MODERATE avalanche danger remains above the treeline in the Alpine (~2,500′ and above). Wind slabs, in the 6″ to a foot thick range, will be possible to trigger on slopes over 30 degrees. Watch for areas with wind deposited snow and stiff snow over softer snow, especially near ridgelines in the higher elevations. Additionally, [Read More]
Sat, November 20th, 2021	Wind Slabs	Glide Avalanches	Today’s avalanche danger is MODERATE above 2500′. It will be possible for a person to trigger an avalanche in steep, wind loaded terrain. Wind slabs that formed in the middle of the week are sitting on weak snow, and we may see another round of wind building fresh slabs today. Identify and avoid steep slopes [Read More]
Wed, November 17th, 2021			November 17th UPDATE We will begin daily avalanche forecasts on Saturday 11/20 Conditions since the last significant snowfall on 11/11 have been marked with low density snow at the surface combined with a lack of reactive weak layers, cold temperatures, and relatively calm winds throughout the forecast area. That trend is forecast to change, with [Read More]
Sat, November 13th, 2021			November 13th UPDATE With another round of snow this week, conditions are shaping up nicely in the CNFAIC advisory area. The most recent storm brought 6-8” of low-density snow to Turnagain Pass, with cold temperatures dropping snow to sea level. As we ramp up our winter operations, we are working hard to map weak layers [Read More]
Sat, November 6th, 2021			November 6th UPDATE What a week! The historic Halloween storm that rolled in late on Oct 29th is finally loosening its grip. Highest precipitation rates were on Oct 30 and 31 with records being set in Portage Valley and Girdwood. Portage saw almost 28″ of rain from Oct 29 – Nov 4 and Girdwood 19″, [Read More]
Sat, October 30th, 2021			October 30th UPDATE Get ready for some rain…! A warm, wet and windy storm is closing out October 2021 and creating dangerous avalanche conditions. After a week of chilly, and mostly benign weather, this weekend the faucet is turning on as an ‘atmospheric river‘ points our way. Between 8-10″ of rain is expected to fall [Read More]
Fri, October 22nd, 2021			October 22nd UPDATE October 2021 continues to produce. It may be mostly raining at sea level, but over the past several days between 2-3′ of snow has fallen in the higher elevations in Girdwood and Turnagain Pass. Since Oct 1st, there have been a number of early season avalanches, three incidents with burials, and more [Read More]
Mon, October 4th, 2021			Winter is on its way! The days are getting shorter and the mountains whiter…that must mean the 2021/22 winter season is near! Here are a few early season updates from the Chugach NF Avalanche Center: The Avalanche Center will begin issuing intermittent snow, weather and avalanche updates as conditions warrant from mid/late October through mid [Read More]
Sun, May 2nd, 2021	Spring Conditions		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]
Sat, May 1st, 2021	Wet Loose		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]
Thu, April 29th, 2021	Wet Loose		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]
Tue, April 27th, 2021	Wet Loose		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]
Sun, April 25th, 2021	Wet Loose		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]
Sat, April 24th, 2021	Wet Loose		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]
Thu, April 22nd, 2021	Spring Conditions		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]
Tue, April 20th, 2021	Spring Conditions	Persistent Slabs	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]
Sun, April 18th, 2021	Spring Conditions	Storm Slabs	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]

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.

Date	25/26	24/25	23/24	22/23	21/22
11/25	No Rating	No Rating	Wet Loose	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs
11/26	No Rating	No Rating	Wet Loose	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs
11/27	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs
11/28	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs
11/29	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
11/30	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/01	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs
12/02	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs
12/03	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Persistent Slabs
12/04	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Normal Caution	Persistent Slabs
12/05	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/06	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/07	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/08	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/09	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/10	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs
12/11	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/12	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/13	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/14	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/15	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs
12/16	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/17	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs
12/18	No Rating	No Rating	Persistent Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs
12/19	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs
12/20	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs
12/21	No Rating	No Rating	Dry Loose	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/22	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/23	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/24	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/25	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/26	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs
12/27	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
12/28	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs
12/29	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs
12/30	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Wind Slabs	Normal Caution
12/31	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/01	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/02	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/03	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/04	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/05	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs	Normal Caution
01/06	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Normal Caution
01/07	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Normal Caution
01/08	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/09	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/10	No Rating	No Rating	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs
01/11	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/12	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/13	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Deep Persistent Slabs	Storm Slabs
01/14	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Deep Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/15	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/16	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs
01/17	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/18	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/19	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/20	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/21	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/22	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/23	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/24	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Persistent Slabs	Storm Slabs
01/25	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Persistent Slabs	Storm Slabs
01/26	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/27	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Persistent Slabs	Storm Slabs
01/28	No Rating	No Rating	Glide Avalanches	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/29	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/30	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
01/31	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/01	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/02	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/03	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/04	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/05	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/06	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/07	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/08	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs
02/09	No Rating	No Rating	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/10	No Rating	No Rating	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/11	No Rating	No Rating	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/12	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/13	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/14	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/15	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/16	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs
02/17	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/18	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/19	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/20	No Rating	No Rating	Wet Slab	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs
02/21	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/22	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs
02/23	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/24	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs
02/25	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs
02/26	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/27	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
02/28	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
03/01	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Normal Caution
03/02	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
03/03	No Rating	No Rating	Normal Caution	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs
03/04	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs
03/05	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs
03/06	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Wet Loose	Storm Slabs
03/07	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Wet Loose	Storm Slabs
03/08	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Wet Loose	Storm Slabs
03/09	No Rating	No Rating	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs
03/10	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Normal Caution	Wind Slabs
03/11	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Normal Caution	Wind Slabs
03/12	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Normal Caution	Wind Slabs
03/13	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Normal Caution	Persistent Slabs
03/14	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Normal Caution	Wind Slabs
03/15	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs
03/16	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
03/17	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Storm Slabs
03/18	No Rating	No Rating	Persistent Slabs	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
03/19	No Rating	No Rating	Wet Loose	Storm Slabs	Storm Slabs
03/20	No Rating	No Rating	Wet Loose	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
03/21	No Rating	No Rating	Wet Loose	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs
03/22	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs
03/23	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Storm Slabs
03/24	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs
03/25	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs
03/26	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	Storm Slabs
03/27	No Rating	No Rating	Wet Loose	Deep Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
03/28	No Rating	No Rating	Wet Loose	Deep Persistent Slabs	Storm Slabs
03/29	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	Persistent Slabs
03/30	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs
03/31	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
04/01	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
04/02	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	Storm Slabs
04/03	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs
04/04	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs
04/05	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wet Loose	Wind Slabs
04/06	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wet Loose	Wind Slabs
04/07	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
04/08	No Rating	No Rating	Wet Loose	Deep Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs
04/09	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Storm Slabs	Wind Slabs
04/10	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Storm Slabs	Normal Caution
04/11	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Storm Slabs	Normal Caution
04/12	No Rating	No Rating	Storm Slabs	Storm Slabs	Normal Caution
04/13	No Rating	No Rating	Persistent Slabs	Storm Slabs	Normal Caution
04/14	No Rating	No Rating	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs	Normal Caution
04/15	No Rating	No Rating	No Rating	Wet Loose	Wind Slabs
04/16	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wet Loose	Wind Slabs
04/17	No Rating	No Rating	No Rating	No Rating	Normal Caution
04/18	No Rating	No Rating	Wind Slabs	Wet Loose	No Rating
04/19	No Rating	No Rating	No Rating	No Rating	Normal Caution
04/20	No Rating	No Rating	Wet Loose	Deep Persistent Slabs	No Rating