Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

The snowpack will remain generally stable for another day as our first sign of active weather since mid-February arrives today.  Natural and human‑triggered avalanches are unlikely, as any incoming weather will not be enough to significantly increase avalanche danger today.   Expect the avalanche danger to rise tomorrow as a strong low-pressure system moves into the forecast area overnight, bringing moderate to strong east winds and 6 to 18 inches of snow.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Free Forecaster Chat with Mik Dalpes, TONIGHT! Grab some food and drink at 6 pm, March 5th, at the Breeze Inn in Seward to discuss the ‘state of the snowpack’, learn about resources on the CNFAC website, discuss tips for managing persistent slab problems, and bring your hard question for a Q&A.  The Mt. Alice room is just off the lobby of The Breeze Inn Hotel at 303 North Harbor Dr., right off 3rd Ave in Seward.

Recent Avalanches: The last avalanches reported in Turnagain Pass and Girdwood occurred 2 weeks ago today in the Crow Creek area. (details are here and here).

A stretch of clear skies, very cold temperatures, and mostly light winds has kept the snowpack locked up and quiet over the past week. Travel conditions leave much to be desired right now, resembling something between a sheet of plywood and the surface of Crow Creek road, mid-summer.  The good news is that change is in the air!  This prolonged stretch of cold, clear weather is breaking down, and we have snow in the forecast each day beginning today, through the weekend.  A few flakes started falling last night, but it's unlikely the snow and wind today will be enough to significantly tip the scales. With active weather moving in overnight tonight, expect avalanche danger to increase tomorrow.

If tonight's storm arrives earlier than expected and you're seeing accumulating snow in your travels today (even a few inches), expect shallow wind slabs to be forming that will be easy to trigger.   Additionally, the facets deeper in the snowpack (2 to 6' down) are unlikely to be a problem, but we know there is a small chance a large avalanche failing on this weak layer could be triggered from a thin spot on a slope.  Maintain good travel habits by exposing only 1 person at a time to avalanche terrain, re-group in safe zones, and ensure everyone in your group is 'rescue ready'.