Turnagain Pass Archives
| Date | Rating | Problem #1 | Problem #2 | The Bottom Line |
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 Persistent Slabs
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 Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 2500′ in the Alpine. Human triggered slab avalanches up to 1-3′ thick remain possible due to a weak layer of snow under the Thanksgiving weekend storm snow. Additionally, watch for lingering wind slabs in steep wind-loaded terrain. [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger remains MODERATE above 2500′ in the Alpine. Human triggered slab avalanches up to 1-3′ thick remain possible due to a weak layer of snow under the Thanksgiving weekend storm snow. Additionally, watch for wind slabs that could form today, or did yesterday, with the continued southerly and easterly ridgetop winds. [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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A MODERATE avalanche danger exists above 2500′ in the Alpine. Triggering a slab avalanche 1-3′ thick remains possible due to a layer of buried surface hoar under the Thanksgiving weekend storm snow. Additionally, watch for increasing winds today from a southerly direction that may form wind slabs in unusual places. [Read More] | ||
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Persistent Slabs
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Wind Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE above 2500′ where triggering a slab 1-3′ thick is possible on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Be aware of changing weather and wind slabs forming late afternoon. At treeline (below 2500′) the avalanche danger is LOW where a strong crust has formed and capped the snowpack. [Read More] | ||
 Storm Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE in the Alpine where triggering a slab avalanche is possible on all aspects. Below 2500′ the danger is LOW where freezing temperature are helping a thin and wet snowpack form a crust. [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE in the Alpine where triggering a slab avalanche is likely. Below 2500′ the danger is MODERATE. If there is any snow left triggering a wet loose avalanche will be possible and being in the runout of snow-covered slopes above should still be avoided today. [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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As wet and stormy weather continues today the avalanche danger remains HIGH in the Alpine. With additional snowfall and wind loading natural avalanches are likely. Avalanches at upper elevations may run into terrain below keeping the danger at CONSIDERABLE for the Treeline elevation band. Human triggered avalanches are very likely above the rain/snow line (approximately [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Continued snowfall and wind above 2,500′ will keep the avalanche danger at HIGH in the Alpine. Storm snow avalanches are expected again today at these upper elevations. At the mid-mountain elevations, rain falling up to 2,500′ will continue to wash away the snowpack and initiate wet avalanches on steep slopes where enough snow still exists. [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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A powerful storm moving through is expected to increase the avalanche danger to HIGH in the upper elevations today. Over 1′ and up to 2′ of snow accumulating by this afternoon should cause natural avalanches to occur. Warming temperatures will also increase the likelihood of avalanche activity at these high elevations and bring rain to [Read More] | ||
 Announcement
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The CNFAIC will be issuing intermittent snow and avalanche updates until there is enough snow to warrant daily avalanche advisories. We are closely monitoring a series of storms this weekend and you may see your first forecast any day now. Keep an eye on this page and be sure to ‘like’ us on facebook where [Read More] | ||
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Announcement
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The CNFAIC will be issuing intermittent snow and avalanche updates as conditions warrant. Daily avalanche forecasts were planned to begin on Thanksgiving weekend – but at this point we are in wait-and-see mode until we get more snow. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday! #playsafe [Read More] | ||
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Announcement
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2018/2019 winter avalanche season has begun! The CNFAIC will be issuing intermittent snow and avalanche updates as conditions warrant through mid-November. Daily avalanche forecasts are planned to begin on Thanksgiving weekend – unless we see more snow and avalanche issues before this demanding an earlier start. *Early season folks: Please send us your [Read More] | ||
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Announcement
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The CNFAIC will be issuing intermittent snow and avalanche updates as conditions warrant through mid-November. Daily avalanche forecasts are planned to begin on Thanksgiving weekend – unless cooler storms bring enough snow to increase avalanche concerns before then. *Early season folks: Please send us your snow/avalanche reports so we can post them on [Read More] | ||
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Announcement
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2018/2019 winter avalanche season has begun! The CNFAIC will be issuing intermittent snow and avalanche updates as conditions warrant through mid-November. Daily avalanche forecasts are planned to begin on Thanksgiving weekend – unless we see [Read More] | ||
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Announcement
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2018/2019 winter avalanche season has begun! Wednesday Nov. 7th update: Winter is here and the snowpack is slowly forming in the mountains surrounding Girdwood and Turnagain Pass. Tonight a small storm may bring up to 6-8″ of new snow to higher elevations. Temperatures have started to increase into the mid 30F’s near sea level and [Read More] | ||
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Announcement
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The 2018/2019 winter avalanche season has begun! It is looking like winter in Turnagain Pass, Girdwood and through much of the state. This is thanks to a widespread snow storm on Oct. 29th that brought 8″ of snow to Girdwood, 5-8″ along the Seward Hwy through Turnagain Pass and up to a foot or more [Read More] | ||
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Happy Halloween and WELCOME to the 2018/2019 winter season!! The winter has started with our first snowfall to sea level followed by cold and clear weather. The Oct. 29th storm left 8″ in Girdwood and 5-8″ along the Seward Hwy through Turnagain Pass, favoring the Northern side. We estimate 10-12″ at higher elevations in Turnagain [Read More] | ||
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WELCOME to the 2018/2019 winter season!! After a long summer break, the CNFAIC is getting ready for another fantastic winter season! Doors will open at the Avalanche Center on October 29th, with all staff returning. We will be issuing intermittent snow and avalanche updates as conditions warrant through mid-November. Daily avalanche forecasts are planned to [Read More] | ||
 Announcement
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Announcement
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The CNFAIC is no longer issuing advisories for Turnagain Pass and surrounding regions for the 2017/18 season. Although our forecast season is finished, this does not mean that the avalanche season has ended – please see below for some SPRINGTIME AVALANCHE TIPS!! Current conditions? Keep tabs on our Observation Page! We will be posting [Read More] | ||
 Wet Loose
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Storm Slabs
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The avalanche danger is MODERATE, but may increase to CONSIDERABLE if the sun appears this afternoon. Triggering a wet avalanche is possible today on steep slopes below 2500′. If the sun comes out natural wet avalanches are possible in the afternoon in the alpine. It is also possible to trigger a storm slab 1-3′ deep [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger in the Alpine is HIGH today due to snow, rain and strong winds impacting the area. Natural storm slab avalanches are very likely. Below 2500′ the danger is CONSIDERABLE, wet snow avalanches are likely. In addition, watch for cornice falls along ridgelines. Portage Valley hikers: Avalanche danger exists along popular [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Wet Loose
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A storm bringing rain, snow and wind is expected to increase the avalanche danger to CONSIDERABLE through the day. Slab avalanches composed of up to a foot of new snow are likely to be triggered and may release naturally at the high elevations above 2,500′. Wet snow avalanches are likely to be triggered on steep [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger will remain MODERATE due to above freezing temperatures below 2000′ where triggering a wet avalanche is possible on steep slopes. Triggering a storm slab up to a foot deep will be possible in the alpine, where winds will be actively transporting new snow as a storm moves into our area this afternoon. [Read More] | ||
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Storm Slabs
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Wet Loose
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New snow and wind over the past 24-hours has kept the avalanche danger MODERATE. Watch for new storm slab and wind slab avalanches above 2,500′ where up to a foot of new snow may be found. Below this, human triggered wet avalanches are possible on steep slopes with a rain soaked snowpack. Portage Valley: [Read More] | ||
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Wet Loose
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The avalanche danger is LOW this morning and may rise to MODERATE in the afternoon. Triggering a small to large wet avalanche will be possible with daily warming on sunlit aspects or with rain at lower elevations. In the Alpine, triggering a slab avalanche 1-2′ thick remains possible above 3000′ on shaded aspects. Give cornices [Read More] |