Turnagain Pass Archives
| Date | Rating | Problem #1 | Problem #2 | The Bottom Line |
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 Wind Slabs
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 Persistent Slabs
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A MODERATE avalanche danger exists in the Turnagain Pass region above 2,500′. A few inches of new snow (2-5″) with moderate winds are expected to form small fresh wind slabs along the higher ridgelines by this afternoon. Additionally, a much larger avalanche may be possible to trigger above 3,000′ due to a suspected weak layer [Read More] | ||
 Storm Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger remains at the higher elevations above treeline. Storm snow avalanches, including wind slabs, are likely to be triggered on slopes over 30 degrees. Additionally, triggering a surprisingly larger, and dangerous, slab avalanche is possible that breaks in old weak snow 1-3+ feet below the snow surface. Heads up once the skies [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at all elevation bands. In the Alpine and Treeline triggering a slab avalanche is likely and natural avalanches are possible. 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] | ||
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Happy Thanksgiving! Today is day two of the winter storm impacting the forecast area. Avalanche danger is rising across the region. The Chugach National Foreast Avalanche Information Center will issue the first forecast of the season with a danger rating tomorrow morning! Today is a great day to eat turkey with friends and family and [Read More] | ||
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It is starting to look like winter across the Turnagain Forecast area. Let’s do a quick snowfall recap to paint the picture of the season so far. A storm on 10/22-23 brought about 2′ of snow with snow line around 2000′ and strong winds. During the next storm on 10/27-28 it rained to 3500′ washing [Read More] | ||
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Over the weekend a little snow actually made it to sea level. Girdwood had a few inches in town while Turnagain Pass at road level (1000′) only received a half an inch of snow. Upper elevations (above 2500′) received around a 1′ of snow. Late Friday night also brought stronger easterly winds with gusts into [Read More] | ||
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Despite plenty of precipitation for November, winter at Turnagain Pass has yet to arrive. Storm systems have been scooping up warm sub-tropical air and bringing it north to our region. Rain has been falling up to the ridgetops at Turnagain with occasional cooler periods bringing snow to mid-mountain before warming back up again. Looking forward [Read More] | ||
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We continue to watch the weather with hopes for a colder storm, #snowtosealevel. After a partly sunny Veterans Day the forecast for this week looks to have precipitation but not snow producing temps. Upper elevation terrain (above 4000′) received a little new snow this past week. Sunshine and warmer temperatures on Friday and Saturday caused [Read More] | ||
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It continues to be a warm start to our winter in the Turnagain Pass region. Sadly there is not much new to report. We are watching the temperatures and thinking cold thoughts. Follow the National Weather Service’s Recreational Report for the mountain weather forecast. The thin wet snow cover begins around 2,500′ with dry snow [Read More] | ||
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Late October Update: It’s been a warm start to our winter over in the Turnagain Pass region. While Hatcher Pass has been reaping the early season snow (as is common and don’t forget to check hpavalanche.org and their Facebook page), Turnagain has been left in the dust. Images below tell the picture. A thin wet [Read More] | ||
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WELCOME to the 2019/2020 winter season! The snow-line is creeping down the mountainsides and that means the CNFAIC is getting ready for another fantastic winter season! Office doors open at the Avalanche Center in Girdwood during the last week in October. We will be issuing intermittent snow, weather and avalanche updates as conditions warrant through [Read More] | ||
 Spring Conditions
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The CNFAIC is no longer issuing avalanche advisories for Turnagain Pass and surrounding regions. Although the forecast season has finished, the avalanche season has not – please see below for some SPRINGTIME AVALANCHE TIPS!! Current conditions? Keep tabs on our Observation Page! We will be posting all observations/reports sent in to us. “Like” the [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 2500′ due to active wind loading and new snow. Human triggered wind slabs 1-2′ may be tender on leeward slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Triggering a slab 2-3′ in older snow on Northerly aspects above 2500′ is possible and could propagate across an entire slope. If the sun makes [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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 Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 1000′. Human triggered slab avalanches 1-3′ are possible on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Watch for warming and wet loose activity on solar aspects if the sun makes an appearance. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully, ease into steep terrain and look for signs of instability. As always, give cornices [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE above 1000′ due to strong winds and a mix of rain and snow impacting the area today. Natural avalanches are possible. Human triggered slab avalanches 1-3′ will be likely above 2000′. Below 2000′ where rain is falling, triggering wet loose avalanches will be likely. Extra caution is advised. As always, [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE for avalanches composed of the 6 – 12+” of new snow. On Northerly slopes above 2,500′ dry slab avalanches 6-18+” thick will be possible to trigger. On Southerly facing slopes and all aspects below 2,500′ wet loose avalanches are possible with daytime warming and solar radiation. Give cornices a wide [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE on slopes above 2,500′. Triggering a slab 1-2′ deep is possible on steep Northerly slopes in the Alpine. Pay attention to changing conditions and as always, give cornices a wide berth and limit travel under glide cracks. PORTAGE VALLEY: Cornice fall and/or avalanches from above have the potential to send [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE on slopes above 2,500′. Triggering a slab 1-2′ deep is possible on steep Northern aspects in the alpine. Triggering a wet-loose avalanche is possible with daily warming on steep Southern aspects. Pay attention to surfaces conditions and if you notice the snow becoming wet and unsupportable – transition to firmer [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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Persistent Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE on slopes above 2,500′. Wet loose sluffs could be easy to initiate on steep sunny slopes by this afternoon/evening. Sluffs could become larger than expected if surface warming melts the top 4-6″ of the snowpack. On high elevation north aspects (above 3,000′), triggering a dry slab avalanche may be possible [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger will be CONSIDERABLE at the upper elevations today. On northerly aspects, dry snow and winter conditions exist. Triggering a slab avalanche 1-3′ thick is possible and very cautious travel and snowpack evaluation is recommended. On southerly aspects, sunny skies and daytime warming are expected to create natural wet loose avalanches in Thursday’s [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today above 2500′ where strong winds and new snow have created touchy slabs 1-3′ thick. In the Treeline zone (1000′-2500′) the avalanche danger is MODERATE where the snowpack transitions from wet snow to dry snow. Within this zone triggering a wet loose avalanche or storm slab is possible. Any sign [Read More] | ||
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today above 2500′. Triggering a wind slab up to 12 € thick will be possible on steep leeward features due to strong wind and new snow. Below 2500′ the avalanche danger is MODERATE where triggering a wet loose avalanche is possible. Avoid traveling below glide cracks and cornices. Should the [Read More] | ||
 Normal Caution
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The avalanche danger is generally LOW throughout the region. Keep in mind, glide avalanches are still a concern and can release at anytime. Continue to watch for and avoid/limit travel under glide cracks. Additionally, give cornices a wide berth while traveling along ridgelines. Triggering a wet loose sluff may be possible on steep sunny slopes [Read More] | ||
 Glide Avalanches
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE at all elevations. In the mid-elevations, glide avalanches continue to release sporadically and are creating a dangerous and unpredictable hazard. Limit any travel under glide cracks. Additionally, wet loose sluffs are possible on saturated steep slopes below 2,000′. In the Alpine, watch for areas with new wind-drifted snow where small [Read More] | ||
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Glide Avalanches
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE today at all elevations. Glide cracks have been releasing into avalanches in many popular recreating areas and pose a hazard to anyone traveling under glide cracks. Additionally, due to recent rain/snow triggering a wet loose avalanche on solar aspects or a shallow wind slab on shaded, steep, leeward features in [Read More] |