Observation: Turnagain

Location: Road Observation

Date:
Observer:
Route & General Observations

Drove to Turnagain Pass around 1:30pm. Heavy rain in Portage area and snow at Turnagain Pass. Rain/snow line was near 900′ on my way to the pass and was getting lower as temps cooled when I left. Snowfall was heavy, and there was +12″ of heavy wet snow was in each rest area parking lot. Plow drivers were struggling to keep the road corridor plowed, thus both parking lots had not been plowed. Center Ridge plow truck arrived to start on that side just before I left.

It was busy at Turnagain Pass today. Tincan parking area was full. Center Ridge had a dozen trucks/snowmo overflow parking due to difficult parking conditions. A group of people were sledding on some of the mellow hills near Center ridge.

Spoke with several groups at Tincan who all stayed in the trees. None of them witnessed any signs of instability, but reported that it was snowing all day.

Red Flags
Red flags are simple visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger. Please record any sign of red flags below.
Obvious signs of instability
Recent Avalanches?Yes
Collapsing (Whumphing)?No
Cracking (Shooting cracks)?No
Observer Comments

Indicator slide path across Turnagain Arm from the Tesoro looked to have new debris. Pyramid had new debris on both the Northern aspect and East Face.

Weather & Snow Characteristics
Please provide details to help us determine the weather and snowpack during the time this observation took place.
Weather

Rain to 900', but as temps started cooling rain/snow line was descending
Heavy snowfall above this elevation and along the road corridor at Turnagain Pass
Winds 5-10 mph along the road
Temps were 32F at Moto lot

Snow surface

+12" heavy wet snow in parking areas

Photos & Video
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