Turnagain Pass Archives

Date	Problem #1	Problem #2	The Bottom Line
Sat, April 17th, 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 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]
Fri, April 16th, 2021	Storm Slabs	Wet Slab	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]
Thu, April 15th, 2021	Wet Slab	Persistent Slabs	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]
Wed, April 14th, 2021	Wet Slab		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]
Tue, April 13th, 2021	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	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]
Mon, April 12th, 2021	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	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]
Sun, April 11th, 2021	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	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]
Sat, April 10th, 2021	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	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]
Fri, April 9th, 2021	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	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]
Thu, April 8th, 2021	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	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]
Wed, April 7th, 2021	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	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]
Tue, April 6th, 2021	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	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]
Mon, April 5th, 2021	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	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]
Sun, April 4th, 2021	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	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]
Sat, April 3rd, 2021	Persistent Slabs		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]
Fri, April 2nd, 2021	Persistent Slabs		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]
Thu, April 1st, 2021	Persistent Slabs		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]
Wed, March 31st, 2021	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs	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]
Tue, March 30th, 2021	Persistent Slabs		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]
Mon, March 29th, 2021	Persistent Slabs		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]
Sun, March 28th, 2021	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	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]
Sat, March 27th, 2021	Wind Slabs	Persistent Slabs	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]
Fri, March 26th, 2021	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	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]
Thu, March 25th, 2021	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	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]
Wed, March 24th, 2021	Persistent Slabs		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]

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