Turnagain Pass Archives
| Date | Rating | Problem #1 | Problem #2 | The Bottom Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Storm Slabs
|
 Persistent Slabs
|
There is a MODERATE avalanche danger today as we usher in the first winter storm since New Year’s day. 6-8″ inches of new snow overnight has added .4” of water weight over what was a very weak surface. Storm slabs and fast moving loose snow sluffs will have the potential to be problematic and will [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
|
A LOW avalanche danger exists in the Turnagain Pass area and could rise to MODERATE late tonight with new snow and wind moving in. In exposed steep terrain with wind affected snow, isolated wind slabs exist and may release under human trigger. Additionally, sluffs could easily be initiated and gain volume and momentum on steep [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
|
A generally LOW avalanche danger exists in the Turnagain Pass area at all elevations. LOW danger does not mean NO danger. In exposed steep terrain with wind affected snow, watch out for isolated wind slabs. These could be sitting on weak faceted snow and may release out from under you. Additionally, watch your sluff on [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
 Dry Loose
|
Above 2500′ the avalanche danger is MODERATE. Triggering a wind slab avalanche or a larger avalanche on a buried weak layer remains possible in the Alpine. Be on the lookout for wind affected snow and watch your sluff in steep protected terrain. Below 2500′ the avalanche danger is LOW and normal caution is advised. As always use safe [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
|
Above 2500′ the avalanche danger is MODERATE. Triggering a large avalanche on a buried weak layer remains possible in the Alpine. Be on the lookout for wind effected snow and watch your sluff in steep protected terrain. Below 2500′ the avalanche danger is LOW and normal caution is advised. As always use safe travel protocol. SUMMIT LAKE: This [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
|
Above 2500′ the avalanche danger is MODERATE. In the Alpine triggering a large avalanche on a buried weak layer remains possible. Pay attention to surface conditions as very hard snow could indicate lingering wind slab potential and loose snow might sluff in steep terrain. Below 2500′ the avalanche danger is LOW and normal caution is [Read More] | ||
 Wind Slabs
|
Persistent Slabs
|
Above 1000′ the avalanche danger is MODERATE. It’s possible for a human to trigger a wind slab in wind loaded terrain and to trigger a large persistent slab avalanche on a buried weak layer. Remain aware of sluff in steep exposed terrain and avoid travel on cornices and under glide cracks. [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Persistent Slabs
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. It is possible to trigger a wind slab in wind loaded terrain and there is still the potential to trigger a large persistent slab avalanche on a buried weak layer. Watch your sluff in steep protected terrain and avoid travel on cornices and under glide cracks. Evaluate snow [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
Persistent Slabs
|
Above 1000′, the avalanche danger remains MODERATE. Triggering a wind slab in wind loaded terrain or a sluff on steep protected slopes is possible. In addition, there is the potential to trigger a large avalanche on a weak layer buried 1-3′ deep. Give cornices a wide berth and limit exposure under glide cracks. *Friday afternoon [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
Wind Slabs
|
The avalanche danger remains MODERATE above 1000′. Triggering a large avalanche on a weak layer buried 1-3′ deep is possible. In addition, there is the potential a person can trigger a lingering wind slab in wind loaded steep terrain or a sluff on steep protected slopes. Give cornices a wide berth and limit exposure under glide cracks. [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
Wind Slabs
|
The avalanche danger remains MODERATE in the Treeline and Alpine elevation bands. Trigging a large slab avalanche up to 3′ thick that fails on old weak snow hidden below the surface remains possible. Additionally, triggering a shallow wind slab, up to a foot thick, remains possible in the Alpine. As always, watch your sluff, give [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
Wind Slabs
|
The avalanche danger remains MODERATE above 1000′. Triggering a large avalanche on a weak layer buried 1-3′ deep is possible. In addition, there is the potential to trigger a small wind slab in wind loaded terrain or a sluff on steep protected slopes. Give cornices a wide berth and limit exposure under glide cracks. [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
Wind Slabs
|
The avalanche danger remains MODERATE above 1,000′. Triggering a slab avalanche up to 3 feet thick is still possible due to old weak layers that sit 1-3′ below the snow surface. Additionally, fresh shallow wind slabs may form and be triggered as an increase in westerly winds along ridgelines is expected today. As always, watch [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
Dry Loose
|
Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′ where it’s possible to trigger an avalanche breaking on a buried weak layer 1-3′ deep within the snowpack. In steep terrain manage your sluff and give glide cracks and cornices a wide margin. Remember to use terrain progression and good travel protocol. [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
Dry Loose
|
The avalanche danger remains MODERATE above 1,000′. The possibility remains for a person to trigger a large slab, up to 3′ thick, due to a buried weak layer. Slabs are most likely to be triggered in thin areas and may also be triggered after several tracks are on a slope. Additionally, watch your sluff, these [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
Dry Loose
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. Triggering a large avalanche breaking on buried weak layer 1-3′ deep in the snowpack remains possible today. Watch out for sluffing in steep terrain. Choose slopes carefully with the consequences of an avalanche in mind. Use good travel protocol, give cornices a wide berth and limit time under [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
Dry Loose
|
Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′ where it’s possible to trigger an avalanche breaking on a buried weak layer 2-3′ deep within the snowpack. Watch your sluff and give glide cracks and cornices a wide berth. Remember to use terrain progression and good travel protocol. [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
Dry Loose
|
A MODERATE avalanche danger exists at and above treeline where it remains possible to trigger an avalanche breaking on a buried weak layer in the snowpack. Loose snow, lingering wind slabs and precarious cornices should also be on your avalanche radar. With several motorized areas opening today, terrain progression and good travel protocol will be [Read More] | ||
|
Persistent Slabs
|
Wind Slabs
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE at all elevation bands. Triggering an avalanche breaking on a buried weak layer in the snowpack or a lingering wind slab is possible today. Watch your sluff and give cornices a wide berth. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Look for signs of instability, ease into steeper terrain and use good [Read More] | ||
|
Storm Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′ where it’s likely for a human to trigger a large and dangerous avalanche. Wind slabs and storm slabs up to 3′ thick are our primary concern and could be triggered on the slope itself or from below, above or near the slope. Cornices have grown and remain a [Read More] | ||
|
Storm Slabs
|
 Wet Slab
|
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′ today where natural avalanches are likely. Warmer temperatures and steady winds have created dense slabs 1-3′ thick. This slab sits atop a weak layer that could be easily triggered. Wet avalanches below 2,500 are possible with rain expected to fall on snow today. The avalanche conditions warrant very careful terrain [Read More] | ||
|
Storm Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′ due to new snow, rising temperatures and strong winds in the past 24 hours. Human triggered slab avalanches 1-3′ thick are likely today and may be triggered remotely. Dangerous avalanche conditions warrant very careful terrain selection. *Low elevations: There is a chance an avalanche from above could send [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger is expected to rise to CONSIDERABLE today above 1,000′ with warming temperatures, new snow and strong wind moving in. Wind slabs 1-2′ thick will be likely to trigger on slopes seeing active wind loading. Additionally, human triggered slabs 12-16″ thick are possible on slopes out of the wind and in the trees. [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
Today above 1,000′ the avalanche danger is MODERATE where steep windloaded slopes are the most likely places for humans to find and trigger an avalanche. These wind slabs are estimated to be 1-2′ thick. Watch for signs of instability and give cornices and glide cracks a wide margin. [Read More] | ||
|
Wind Slabs
|
|
The avalanche danger is MODERATE today above 1,000′. Human triggered wind slab avalanches between 1-2 feet thick will be possible. Steep windloaded slopes are the most likely places to find and trigger an avalanche. Watch for signs of instability and steer clear of cornices and glide cracks. Another storm is on the way! The NWS [Read More] |