Turnagain Pass Archives

Date	Problem #1	Problem #2	The Bottom Line
Sun, December 13th, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	Today’s avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′, and it is possible a human could trigger a wind slab avalanche 1-2’ deep. Winds have been building slabs for the past two days that are getting big enough to bury a person. Be on the lookout for clear signs of unstable snow like shooting cracks or collapsing, [Read More]
Sat, December 12th, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1,000′. Strong easterly ridgetop winds today are expected to build fresh wind slabs, up to a foot thick, on leeward slopes and in cross-loaded gullies. Watch for fresh wind deposited snow. Additionally, on the southern end of Turnagain Pass, there is a remote chance that a large avalanche could [Read More]
Fri, December 11th, 2020	Deep Persistent Slabs		The avalanche danger is MODERATE at and above Treeline. There remains a chance for triggering a large avalanche 1-3′ thick. The likelihood is decreasing, but our guard should remain up, especially in areas that have seen little traffic. Otherwise, watch for lingering wind slabs in steep rocky terrain, loose snow sluffs and give cornices a [Read More]
Thu, December 10th, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. Human triggered wind slabs 1-3′ thick and cornice falls are possible on steep, leeward slopes just off of ridge-lines and in cross-loaded gullies. In addition, there is uncertainty about a new persistent slab issue. Look for signs of instability, obvious wind effect and choose terrain carefully. Below 1000′ [Read More]
Wed, December 9th, 2020	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is trending to MODERATE after 2-3′ of snow fell onto a weak surface during the Sunday/Monday storm. Storm slab and wind slab avalanches up to 2′ thick in Turnagain and 3′ thick in Girdwood will be possible to trigger. These could be quite large, be triggered remotely and could propagate across terrain [Read More]
Tue, December 8th, 2020	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	Today’s avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at all elevations. Steady snowfall for the past two days with rain up to 1200′, along with sustained periods of strong winds, have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Human triggered avalanches are likely today, and natural avalanches are possible with fresh storm and wind slabs sitting on weak snow. Be conservative [Read More]
Mon, December 7th, 2020	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at all elevations today as snow, rain and steady ridgetop winds continue. Natural avalanches and cornice falls are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely. Additionally, above 2500′, there is a chance a natural avalanche or a person could trigger a deep slab avalanche in weak snow near the ground. [Read More]
Sun, December 6th, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	Today’s avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE in the Alpine, and MODERATE at and below Treeline. Human-triggered wind slab avalanches will become likely as a storm moves into the area throughout the day. Pay close attention to changing conditions as winds and new snowfall build sensitive slabs, especially later in the day. Be on the lookout for [Read More]
Sat, December 5th, 2020	Deep Persistent Slabs		The avalanche danger remains MODERATE above treeline on all aspects. At elevations above the stout surface crust, watch for stubborn wind slabs and give a cornices a wide berth. Additionally, there is still chance a person could find the wrong spot and trigger a deep slab avalanche in weak snow near the ground. At elevations [Read More]
Fri, December 4th, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all aspects and slopes above 1,000′. At elevations above the surface crusts, watch for lingering wind slabs that could still be triggered on steep wind loaded slopes. Additionally, there remains a chance that a larger avalanche, breaking near the ground, could be triggered. Choose your steep terrain carefully and [Read More]
Thu, December 3rd, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. Human triggered wind slabs and cornice falls are possible on steep, leeward slopes just off of ridge-lines and in cross-loaded gullies. In addition, in the Alpine (above 2500′), there is a lingering chance of triggering a deep slab avalanche on the weak snow at base of the snowpack. Look [Read More]
Wed, December 2nd, 2020	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE for all elevations. In the last 48 hours there has been heavy snow, rain and strong winds. Human triggered slab avalanches are likely on slopes 30° and steeper and will increase in likelihood with elevation. We are at the tail end of a significant storm, which means cautious route-finding and [Read More]
Tue, December 1st, 2020	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	We have issued a BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING through the National Weather Service for the Turnagain Pass area and surrounding mountains. Avalanche danger is HIGH as a strong storm system that moved into the area yesterday afternoon continues through today. Heavy snowfall, strong winds, and rain will make large natural avalanches likely, and they will be [Read More]
Mon, November 30th, 2020	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger will remain CONSIDERABLE today. Incoming weather will make natural avalanches possible later in the afternoon and there is the potential for a snowmachiner or skier to trigger a large dangerous avalanche that breaks near the ground. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential. Pay attention to changing conditions and watch for signs [Read More]
Sun, November 29th, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	Today’s avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE. Winds have built sensitive slabs on top of a snowpack that sits on weak snow at the ground. It may be possible to trigger a large avalanche from above, to the side, or (most dangerously) below the slope. A relatively small wind slab avalanche triggered near the surface could step [Read More]
Sat, November 28th, 2020	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is HIGH at all aspects and elevations. Heavy snowfall has been over the region for the past 24 hours and will continue through today. Upwards of 3-4′ of snow has fallen and is overloading a weak snowpack. Large natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. *Travel in avalanche terrain is NOT recommended. This [Read More]
Thu, November 26th, 2020	Persistent Slabs	Storm Slabs	The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today and tomorrow. Human triggered large avalanches remain likely above 1000′ on all aspects. Avalanches can be triggered by people on a slope or remotely, from the side or below. They could fail near the ground, taking the entire snowpack down the mountain. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential. UPDATE, [Read More]
Tue, November 24th, 2020	Persistent Slabs	Storm Slabs	The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today and likely to rise to HIGH danger tomorrow. Human triggered large avalanches remain likely in the mid and upper elevations on all aspects. Avalanches can be triggered by people on a slope or remotely, from the side or below. They could be up to 4′ deep and fail near [Read More]
Sun, November 22nd, 2020	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at all elevation bands. In the Alpine and Treeline, triggering a slab avalanche is likely. Avalanches may be triggered remotely. Avalanches that release in higher elevation terrain could send debris into the lower elevation (below 1000′) runout. Cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making are essential. [Read More]
Fri, November 20th, 2020			Friday, November 20th, 2020 Avalanche danger is on the rise with strong wind and snowfall beginning today and into the weekend. After 6 glorious days of sunny skies and cold weather – a pattern change is arriving. Starting today, Friday, clouds will push in, temperatures will rise, winds will increase and yes, precipitation is starting [Read More]
Sat, November 14th, 2020			Sat, November 14th, 2020 With snow starting in the late afternoon yesterday the mountains picked up 1-2″ of light, fluffy snow overnight. Temperatures are dropping as cooler air is moving into the region. There is a slight chance of snow today and a clearing skies and sunshine on tap for Sunday into the coming week. [Read More]
Thu, November 12th, 2020			UPDATE: 7am Thursday, November 12 November is proving its worth! After 16-24″ of snow fell last weekend, snow has been falling again since Tuesday night. Looking at our storm total so far, upper elevations above the precipitation stations are estimated at 2.5′ in the high terrain around Portage Valley, 2′ in upper Girdwood Valley [Read More]
Tue, November 10th, 2020			NOVEMBER 10th, 2020 Mostly clear, sunny skies yesterday provided a good opportunity to get a look around. It’s beginning to look more like winter in the Turnagain Pass forecast area. The storm Saturday night through Sunday brought around 2′ of snow to upper elevations in Girdwood and 12-16″ to Turnagain Pass. There were also some [Read More]
Sun, November 8th, 2020	Storm Slabs		UPDATE: 7am Sunday, November 8th Stormy weather, heavy snowfall and increasing avalanche danger is hitting Girdwood, Turnagain Pass, the Kenai Peninsula and many other areas in Southcentral Alaska this morning. The National Weather Service has issued several warnings along with this Special Weather Statement for Girdwood and Turnagain Pass. Additionally, a High Wind Warning is in [Read More]
Wed, October 28th, 2020			WELCOME to the 2020/2021 Winter Season!! The mountains are getting whiter and that means the CNFAIC is getting ready for another fantastic winter season! The Avalanche Center will begin issuing intermittent snow, weather and avalanche updates as conditions warrant through mid-November. Daily avalanche forecasts are planned to begin during Thanksgiving weekend – pending an unseasonable [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