Turnagain Pass Archives

Date	Problem #1	Problem #2	The Bottom Line
Mon, February 1st, 2021	Wind Slabs		The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000’. Triggering a slab avalanche 1-2′ deep is possible on wind-loaded slopes. Light to moderate winds over the past few days have been able to drift the snow at the surface into sensitive slabs on top of fragile weak layers that formed last week. Today it will be important [Read More]
Sun, January 31st, 2021	Wind Slabs		The avalanche danger will be MODERATE above 1000’, where it will be possible to trigger a wind slab avalanche up to a foot deep. Light winds have been able to drift the 8-10” of low-density snow at the surface into sensitive slabs on top of fragile weak layers that formed earlier in the week. These [Read More]
Sat, January 30th, 2021	Wind Slabs		The avalanche danger is a spooky MODERATE. Human triggered wind and storm slab avalanches 8-16″ deep will be possible to find and trigger. A weak layer of buried surface hoar and facets sit under the new low density storm snow, which is inhibiting bonding and may cause slabs to propagate wider than expected. Slabs also [Read More]
Fri, January 29th, 2021	Wind Slabs		The avalanche danger remains MODERATE at elevations above 1,000′. A few inches of new snow with moderate winds will make wind slab avalanches possible to find and trigger today. These will be more predominant in Alpine terrain and could be up to a foot deep where winds have loaded slopes and cross-loaded steep gullies. Additionally, [Read More]
Thu, January 28th, 2021	Wind Slabs		Today the avalanche danger will be MODERATE at elevations above 1000’ in wind exposed terrain. As snow falls and winds increase, human triggered wind slabs will be possible near ridges, on wind-loaded slopes and in cross-loaded gullies. Pay attention to changing conditions and look for signs of instability. Give cornices a wide berth, avoid spending [Read More]
Wed, January 27th, 2021	Wind Slabs		Today’s avalanche danger will be MODERATE at elevations above 2500’, where it will be possible to trigger a wind slab avalanche up to a foot deep on steep, wind-exposed slopes. Avoid slopes that have seen recent wind loading, and pay attention to clear signs of instability like shooting cracks, collapsing, and recent avalanche activity. It [Read More]
Tue, January 26th, 2021	Wind Slabs		Today’s avalanche danger will be MODERATE at elevations above 1000’, where it is possible a person could trigger an avalanche up to 1′ deep on steep slopes harboring lingering wind slabs. It will be important to identify signs of unstable, wind loaded snow before accessing steep terrain. Pay attention to shooting cracks, collapsing, and recent [Read More]
Mon, January 25th, 2021	Wind Slabs		The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1,000′ today. Triggering a wind slab remains possible on slopes 35° and steeper. These slabs will be found near ridges, on wind-loaded slopes and in cross-loaded gullies. Look for signs of signs of wind effect and choose terrain carefully. Give cornices a wide berth and and limit time under glide [Read More]
Sun, January 24th, 2021	Wind Slabs		Today’s avalanche danger will be CONSIDERABLE at elevations above 2500’, where it is likely a human could trigger an avalanche 1-2’ deep on wind-loaded terrain. Yesterday’s easterly ridgetop winds shifted overnight and are now blowing out of the northwest, which means fresh wind slabs may be found on multiple aspects today. There has been less [Read More]
Sat, January 23rd, 2021	Wind Slabs		A warm, wet and windy weather system is impacting the mountains today and increasing the avalanche danger above 1,000′ to CONSIDERABLE. Freshly formed wind slabs 1-2′ thick are likely to be found and triggered on slopes receiving more than 6″ of new snow with added wind loading. These may also release naturally. At the lower-elevations [Read More]
Fri, January 22nd, 2021	Wind Slabs		The avalanche danger is MODERATE today above 1,000′. Human triggered wind slab avalanches, 1-2′ thick, are possible on wind loaded slopes 35 degrees and steeper due an increase in east winds last night. Watch for slopes with recent wind deposited snow and those that may see active wind loading today. Human triggered cornice falls are [Read More]
Thu, January 21st, 2021	Wind Slabs		The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1,000′ today. Triggering a wind slab remains possible on slopes 35° and steeper. These slabs could be 1-2′ deep and will be found near ridges on wind-loaded slopes and in cross-loaded gullies. Watch for active wind-loading, signs of wind effect and choose terrain carefully. Cornice falls are also a concern [Read More]
Wed, January 20th, 2021	Wind Slabs		A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists above 2,500′ where human triggered wind slabs are likely and cornice falls are a concern due to continued winds impacting the higher elevation terrain. A MODERATE danger exists below 2,500′ in exposed areas where winds are loading mid-elevation terrain. Watch for active wind loading and expect slabs to be in [Read More]
Tue, January 19th, 2021	Storm Slabs		The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today at elevations above 1000’, and large human-triggered avalanche are likely. Recent heavy snowfall, rain, and strong winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Cautious route finding will be important today, which means sticking to low-angle slopes and resisting the urge to move into big terrain as skies clear up. The [Read More]
Mon, January 18th, 2021	Storm Slabs		The avalanche danger is HIGH today due to heavy snowfall, rain, and strong winds. Large natural avalanches are likely, and human triggered avalanches are very likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is NOT recommended. With heavy snowfall in the upper elevations and rain to around 1200′(possibly higher), we expect to see a mix of dry slab and [Read More]
Sun, January 17th, 2021	Wind Slabs		The avalanche danger will be CONSIDERABLE above 1000’ as strong winds and continued snowfall will make human-triggered avalanches likely during the day. Dangerous avalanche conditions will warrant conservative decision making today. Pay attention to indicators of instability, and be aware of the potential for increasing danger as the next storm approaches. We are expecting avalanche [Read More]
Sat, January 16th, 2021	Wind Slabs		The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1,000′ due to another round of strong east wind with 6-10″ of new snow forecast today. Human triggered wind slab and storm slab avalanches are likely on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Wind slabs, along with cornice falls, could release on their own. Wind slabs are expected to be [Read More]
Fri, January 15th, 2021	Wind Slabs		The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE in the Alpine (above 2,500′) where yesterday’s winds formed fresh winds slabs and added onto cornices. Winds slabs in the 1-3′ thick range could be easy to trigger on slopes over 35 degrees and in steep cross-loaded gullies. A MODERATE danger exists below 2,500′ for exposed areas that saw enough [Read More]
Thu, January 14th, 2021	Wind Slabs		The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′. Recent storm snow, combined with snow falling and increased winds today will be enough to create fresh wind slabs, 1-3′ deep. Due to the active loading natural avalanches will be possible and human triggered wind slabs are likely. In addition, there is still a chance of triggering a large [Read More]
Wed, January 13th, 2021	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE for all elevations. After a week of snow resulting in 6-10′ at mid and upper elevations, a rain/snow mix below 1100′ and sustained ridgetop winds, the mountains need time to adjust to the load. Today large, human triggered storm slab avalanches are likely on slopes over 30° and natural avalanches are [Read More]
Tue, January 12th, 2021	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	We have extended the Backcountry Avalanche Warning issued through the National Weather Service through tomorrow morning. Recent heavy snowfall and continued accumulation today will keep the avalanche danger HIGH in the mountains surrounding Turnagain Pass, Girdwood Valley, Portage Valley, Summit Lake and the Seward/Lost Lake/Snug Harbor zone. It is very likely a human could trigger [Read More]
Mon, January 11th, 2021	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	We have extended the Backcountry Avalanche Warning through the National Weather Service today. With heavy snowfall, rain, and strong winds the avalanche danger remains HIGH in the mountains surrounding Turnagain Pass, Girdwood Valley, Portage Valley, and areas on the Kenai including Summit Lake and the Seward/Lost Lake zone. Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected on all [Read More]
Sun, January 10th, 2021	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	We have issued a Backcountry Avalanche Warning through the National Weather Service as heavy snowfall, strong winds, and rain on snow will elevate the avalanche danger to HIGH today. It is very likely a human could trigger an avalanche 3-5’ deep, and it is likely that we will see large natural avalanches as well. These [Read More]
Sat, January 9th, 2021	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on all slopes above 500′. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Large wind slab avalanches in the Alpine and storm slab avalanches in the trees, 3-4+’ thick, are likely for a person or snowmachine to trigger. These could be triggered remotely from the bottom, side or top. The 2.5-3.5 feet of new [Read More]
Fri, January 8th, 2021	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger has risen to HIGH in the Alpine (above 2,500′) and remains CONSIDERABLE below 2,500′. Heavy snowfall and strong winds for the past 48 hours continue to impact the region. Upwards of 3 feet of new snow has now fallen with very strong winds. Large natural avalanches, 3+’ thick, are likely at the [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