Turnagain Pass Archives

Date	Problem #1	Problem #2	The Bottom Line
Tue, March 10th, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger remains MODERATE and may rise to CONSIDERABLE in the Alpine this afternoon as northwest outflow winds impact the region. Watch for winds actively moving snow. It’s possible to trigger a wind slab around 1-2′ deep in steep wind loaded terrain. Additionally, there is still a chance of triggering a deep persistent slab. Avoid travel on [Read More]
Mon, March 9th, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is MODERATE today at all elevations. Triggering a wind slab around 1-2′ deep is possible in steep wind loaded terrain. Additionally, there is still a chance of triggering a deep persistent slab. Avoid travel on or underneath cornices and watch your sluff on steep protected slopes. SUMMIT LAKE: South of Turnagain Pass the overall [Read More]
Sun, March 8th, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is MODERATE today at all elevations. It will be possible to trigger a wind slab 6-18″ deep. Watch for blowing snow and pay attention to surface conditions. Additionally, a deep persistent slab problem 3-6′ thick is still a concern. Avoid travel on or underneath cornices and watch your sluff on steep protected [Read More]
Sat, March 7th, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger remains MODERATE. Finding and triggering a wind slab avalanche, around a foot thick, remains possible. These could be older wind slabs or new ones in areas seeing enough wind to transport snow today. They also may break wider than anticipated as some could be sitting on buried surface hoar. Additionally, there is still [Read More]
Fri, March 6th, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is MODERATE today. Triggering a wind slab avalanche around a foot deep will be still possible on slopes that were loaded by the recent outflow (west/northwest wind) event. Additionally, triggering a very large avalanche breaking in weak snow 3-6 feet deep remains a concern region-wide. Avoid travel on or underneath cornices, watch your [Read More]
Thu, March 5th, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger remains MODERATE today. Northwest outflow winds will continue to impact the region. Watch for winds actively moving snow and wind effect on the snow surface. Wind slab avalanches around a foot thick will be possible to trigger on freshly loaded slopes. Additionally, triggering a very large avalanche breaking in weak snow 3-6 feet [Read More]
Wed, March 4th, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger remains MODERATE and may rise to CONSIDERABLE tonight as northwest outflow winds impact the region. Watch for winds that could be actively moving snow. Wind slab avalanches around a foot thick will be possible to trigger on freshly loaded slopes. Additionally, triggering a very large avalanche breaking in weak snow 3-6 feet [Read More]
Tue, March 3rd, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations. Triggering a wind slab is possible in steep wind loaded terrain. In addition, triggering a very large and dangerous deep slab avalanche remains a concern across the forecast area. Avoid travel on or under cornices and watch for sluffing in steep protected terrain. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. SUMMIT [Read More]
Mon, March 2nd, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations. Triggering a wind slab is possible in steep wind loaded terrain. In addition, triggering a very large and dangerous deep slab avalanche remains a concern across the forecast area. Avoid travel on or under cornices and watch for sluffing in steep protected terrain. Evaluate snow and terrain [Read More]
Sun, March 1st, 2020	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today at all elevations. Relatively warm temperatures, steady 20mph winds gusting to 60mph, and 4″-8″ of new snow make it likely for a person to trigger a storm slab or wind slab. Additionally, it remains possible for a human to trigger a weak layer buried 3-6′ beneath a dense slab. If initiated, [Read More]
Sat, February 29th, 2020	Deep Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs	The avalanche danger remains a scary MODERATE today and may increase to CONSIDERABLE overnight with new snow and wind on the way. Today, the main concern is triggering a large and dangerous slab avalanche that breaks in weak snow 3-6 feet deep. The likelihood is slowly decreasing, but the possibility remains. Other avalanche issues are [Read More]
Fri, February 28th, 2020	Wind Slabs	Wind Slabs	The avalanche danger is ‘scary MODERATE‘ due to possibility that a person could trigger a very large and dangerous slab avalanche. These slabs are 3-6′ thick and sitting on weak faceted snow. They could be triggered on, near or even below a slope. Although the likelihood of triggering is slowly decreasing, the consequences could still be [Read More]
Thu, February 27th, 2020	Deep Persistent Slabs		The avalanche danger is a ‘scary MODERATE‘ for the chance a person could trigger a very large and dangerous slab avalanche. These slabs are 3-6′ thick and sitting on weak faceted snow. They could be triggered on, near or even below a slope. Although the likelihood of triggering is slowly decreasing, the consequences could be [Read More]
Wed, February 26th, 2020	Deep Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs	The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today. New snow overnight and moderate winds have made triggering a wind slab likely in steep wind loaded terrain. Natural avalanches are possible as loading continues today. In addition, it remains possible for a human to trigger a large and deadly slab avalanche 3-8+ feet deep on slopes steeper than 30 [Read More]
Tue, February 25th, 2020	Deep Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs	The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′. It remains possible for a human to trigger a large and deadly slab avalanche 3′-8’+ deep. New snow forecast for this afternoon into the evening adds load to a snowpack that has concerning deep weak layers. Avoid travel on or under cornices, and in steep terrain consider the [Read More]
Mon, February 24th, 2020	Deep Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs	We have issued a Special Avalanche Bulletin through the National Weather Service for the Turnagain Pass area and surrounding mountains. Today the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′ due to the potential size and consequences of triggering an avalanche. It remains possible for a human to trigger a large and deadly slab avalanche 3-8+ deep on slopes [Read More]
Sun, February 23rd, 2020	Wind Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	We have issued a Special Avalanche Bulletin through the National Weather Service for the Turnagain Pass area and surrounding mountains. Today the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at all elevations from Girdwood, though Turnagain Pass to Seward. Steady northwest winds throughout the day are expected to create wind slabs that could release naturally or likely triggered by a [Read More]
Sat, February 22nd, 2020	Deep Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs	A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger remains at all elevations from Girdwood, though Turnagain Pass to Seward. There are many avalanche concerns, but the most dangerous is the potential that someone could trigger a large and deadly slab avalanche on slopes 30 degrees or steeper. These slabs are unmanageable and range from 3-6′ thick. They could be triggered [Read More]
Fri, February 21st, 2020	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists at all elevations region-wide, from Girdwood, though Turnagain Pass and the Kenai to Seward. Large and deadly slab avalanches will be likely to trigger on slopes 30 degrees or steeper. These slabs range from 3-6′ thick and are nothing to mess with. They could be triggered from the ridge above [Read More]
Thu, February 20th, 2020	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger remains HIGH today due to another day of heavy snowfall and strong winds 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 slopes 30 degrees and steeper – including runout zones. [Read More]
Wed, February 19th, 2020	Storm Slabs	Deep Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger is HIGH for a second day in a row due to heavy snowfall and strong winds 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 slopes 30 degrees and steeper – [Read More]
Tue, February 18th, 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. Heavy snowfall, rain, and strong winds have created a HIGH avalanche danger in the mountains surrounding Turnagain Pass, Girdwood Valley, Portage Valley, and areas on the Kenai including Summit Lake and the Seward zone. Dangerous avalanche conditions [Read More]
Mon, February 17th, 2020	Storm Slabs	Persistent Slabs	The avalanche danger will rise to CONSIDERABLE as the region is impacted by a storm today and tonight. Strong winds, rising temperatures and new snow will create wind and storm slabs and tender cornices. Human triggered avalanches will become likely and naturals will be possible. In addition, weak snow deeper in the snowpack has the [Read More]
Sun, February 16th, 2020	Persistent Slabs		The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevations. It’s possible for a human to trigger a large slab avalanche 1-4′ below the snow surface. Although the likelihood of triggering these slab avalanches is slowly decreasing, the consequences could be deadly. Conservative terrain choices and decision making are necessary to limit the danger. Additionally, cornice breaks remain [Read More]
Sat, February 15th, 2020	Persistent Slabs	Wind Slabs	The avalanche danger is a ‘scary MODERATE‘ at all elevations. Triggering a large slab avalanche, 2-4′ thick, is possible. Although the likelihood of triggering is slowly decreasing, the consequences could be deadly. This is due to buried weak layers 2-4’ below the snow surface. It is a tricky setup and a continued cautious mind set [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