Lawinenlagebericht

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
3 · Erheblich
Open full map
Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 4 months ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

It is likely a person will be able to trigger a large avalanche failing 1 to 3' deep within yesterday's new and windblown snow. There is a chance these may impact deeper weak layers, producing much larger avalanches. The likelihood of natural avalanche activity will increase if the sun comes out. Travel with caution today, and consider avoiding traveling on or below steep terrain.

______________________________

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Forecast Operations:  Our scheduled forecasting season is coming to a close with an intense storm, and avalanche conditions will remain dangerous through the weekend. We will issue forecasts through the weekend before posting our 'Springtime Tips' on Monday.

Hiking on trails below avalanche paths this time of year is dangerous and not recommended.  Avalanches may release into valley bottoms, covering up summer hiking trails. This includes the Byron Glacier Trail and the Trail of Blue Ice in Portage Valley and the Crow Pass Trail in Girdwood Valley. Remember that as long as there are snowy mountains above you, avalanches can come down to snow-free hiking trails.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    2.5–3.5

    We have been dealing with multiple layers of weak, faceted snow that have formed and been buried since early March. Riders on Seattle Ridge noted multiple avalanches triggered remotely on Wednesday afternoon, shortly before this last storm arrived. These layers now have a significant amount of new weight added to them, and the likelihood of triggering a large avalanche has increased.

    This problem is difficult to assess, and the consequences are severe. This is one more reason to approach steep terrain with caution. After seeing multiple remote triggers, we know these avalanches can be triggered from flat terrain connected to steeper slopes. The most effective way to manage this problem is to avoid traveling on or below steep terrain.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    2–3

    Recent Avalanches: There were multiple avalanches triggered remotely Wednesday evening on the back side of Seattle Ridge. We also saw the aftermath of a very significant natural avalanche cycle in the Portage Valley; check this observation for a scary description of activity in the Byron Valley and a few photos of some of the other activity in the area. We are hoping to get a better idea of the extent of any natural activity from yesterday's storm today.

    With a break in the weather on the heels of an intense storm, we are heading into the kind of conditions where avalanche accidents happen. Yesterday's storm brought 1 to 2' snow to the Girdwood/Turnagain Pass area (favoring Girdwood and Portage), along with easterly winds that topped 100 mph. That snow will remain reactive today. It is likely a person will be able to trigger an avalanche up to 3' deep within new and windblown snow. These avalanches failing near the surface have the potential to step down to deeper weak layers, producing much larger avalanches. See Problem 2 for more.

    Don't let today's quiet weather fool you– conditions are still dangerous. Approach steep terrain with caution.

    Cornices: Yesterday's winds have continued to build very large cornices. With warm temperatures and a chance for some sun today, they will be more likely to fail. Give cornices plenty of space if you are traveling on ridgelines, and limit spending time below them.

    Wet snow avalanches: The snowpack below treeline will be loose and saturated following yesterday's storm. It is likely a person will be able to trigger a wet loose avalanche at lower elevations. If the sun comes out, we may also see natural loose snow avalanches at upper elevations as the new snow warms. These avalanches may be relatively small, but they can still have big consequences in terrain with trees, cliffs, rocks or gullies in runout zones. Pay attention to overhead terrain, and avoid travelling under steep sunny slopes if the clouds break.

    (5/1/2026)

    Snowing sideways in Portage yesterday afternoon. This was the scene across most of our forecast area yesterday.

Abgedeckte Regionen