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The avalanche hazard is MODERATE above and below treeline today. Slabs up to 3 feet in depth could be triggered by skiers and snowmachiners on steep slopes. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche has been on the decline over the last five days. The consequences, however remain serious due to slab depths.
This low likelihood/high consequence scenario is a scary version of MODERATE hazard. It will be possible to get onto steeper terrain without incident. It will also be possible to trigger an avalanche in steep terrain. The fact remains that there is a 1-3 foot thick slab sitting on a weak layer in many areas. Being able to anticipate which slopes will avalanche and which slopes will hold together is very difficult at this time.
Sticking to terrain under 35 degrees will allow for a fun enjoyable day in the mountains today.
What better way to get your weekend started… The Friends of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center is giving away a Valdez Heli-Ski Guides trip and Alaska Airlines tickets tonight at Midnight Sun Brewing Company!!! Still a few tickets left. Drawing will be held at 7PM.
Travel Advice | Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. | Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern. | Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making essential. | Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended. | Extraordinarily dangerous avalanche conditions. Avoid all avalanche terrain. |
Likelihood of Avalanches | Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely. | Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible. | Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely. | Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely. | Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain. |
Avalanche Size and Distribution | Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain. | Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas. | Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas. | Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas. | Very large avalanches in many areas. |
A layer of weak snow sitting between the January crust and the February snow has the potential to cause problems today. While this layer has become less reactive over the last week, it is still not trustworthy. The nature of a persistent weak layer is that it sticks around for a long time. Unlike storm related instabilities, a layer like this does not heal quickly. Rather, it lurks below the surface, waiting for the right trigger.
Areas where you would be most likely to activate this weak layer today are on slopes greater than 35 degrees, steep rollovers, and previously wind loaded pockets. Sunshine and excellent riding conditions have the potential to lure people onto bigger and steeper terrain. Don’t let a lack of activity on lower angle slopes allow you to let your guard down. It is much easier to manage this problem with conservative terrain choices than trying to outsmart this complex instability.
On steep sunlit aspects loose snow avalanches will be easy to trigger today. Expect these to be relatively low volume. Managing this problem requires awareness of snow moving around you and the ability to get out of its way. Loose snow sluffs have the potential to knock over skiers and snowboarders (less of an issue for snowachiners). This issue becomes more serious when terrain traps (e.g. trees, gullies, cliff bands) are below.
In the past 24 hours no new precipitation has fallen. Ridgetop winds have been light out of a variety of directions averaging 5mph with a max gust of 21mph. Temperatures at 3,800′ have averaged 9 degrees F.
Today expect mostly clear skies in the morning with clouds developing throughout the day. Temperatures will climb into the low 20s F at 1,000 feet. Ridgetop winds will be out of the Southeast at 15 mph.
A strengthening area of high pressure to the East and North of us is keeping several Low pressure systems at bay, limiting the chance for precipitation over the next several days.
Date | Region | Location | Observer |
---|---|---|---|
05/13/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Eddie’s, Sunburst, Seattle, Cornbiscuit, Pete’s South | H Thamm |
05/13/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass non-motorized side | Amy Holman |
05/12/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Warm up Bowl | Tony Naciuk |
05/07/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Pass Wet Slabs | A S |
04/29/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Turnagain aerial obs | Tully Hamer |
04/27/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Johnson Pass | Noah Mery |
04/23/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Turnagain Sunny Side | Travis SMITH |
04/21/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Bertha Creek | Anonymous |
04/20/24 | Turnagain | Avalanche: Spokane Creek | Schauer/ Mailly Forecaster |
04/16/24 | Turnagain | Observation: Cornbiscuit | Krueger / Matthys Forecaster |
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