Lawinenlagebericht

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
4 · Gross
Waldgrenze
4 · Gross
Unterhalb
4 · Gross
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Kernpunkte

We have issued a Backcountry Avalanche Warning through the National Weather Service. Avalanche danger is HIGH at all elevations as the storm continues to deliver over 1” of water or 1’ of snow. This will be falling on a snowpack that has already been producing large avalanches across the region. Wet avalanches, glide avalanches, and avalanches on buried weak layers are likely. Where snow is falling storm and wind slab avalanches will be almost certain. We strongly recommend avoiding traveling on or below avalanche terrain and staying well away from runout zones.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

We finished the full accident report for the March 22 avalanche fatality in Seattle Ridge, Turnagain Pass. It can be found here.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: Wet avalanches have been releasing across the region over the past few days. Glide avalanches and wet slab avalanches have been releasing in Turnagain Pass, Girdwood Valley, Summit Lake, and near Lost Lake. Some have been very large running to valley bottoms. 

    As the storm continues to pummel the peninsula there is already around 1 to 4" of water above 2,000' that has fallen on a dangerous snowpack responsible for ongoing wet avalanche activity. Warm temperatures have allowed liquid water to move into the snow where it tends to run like a creek down weak layers resulting in large wet avalanches. This storm is drastically increasing the amount of water in the snow also making it very heavy. Because of this large wet slab avalanches will be very likely. These will happen on all aspects and could easily run into valley bottoms. 

    Glide avalanche activity is also expected to continue as the storm adds water to the snowpack. We have already seen many large glide avalanches across the region running into valley bottoms. If we remember earlier in the season entire slopes were covered with glide cracks looming overhead. It is hard to predict when these glide cracks will release but the addition of snow and rain from this storm could increase the rate of these avalanches. Today may be the day to choose another activity. If you do decide to fare this intense storm we recommend avoiding traveling on or below avalanche terrain and staying well away from runout zones.

    Storm totals below are from Thursday morning to Saturday morning:

    • Portage and Whitter: 25 to 30+” snow (5.38” Snow Water Equivalent (SWE)
    • Girdwood: 8 to 12" snow (1.04” SWE)
    • Turnagain Pass: 6 to 10" snow (0.8" SWE)
    • Summit Lake: 1 to 2" snow (0.1" SWE)
    • Seward/Lost Lake: 0.9" SWE from the Exit Glacier SNOTEL site. 1 to 2” snow at Primrose weather station (0.1" SWE)

    (4/1/2025)

    Large glide avalanche likely releasing on Tuesday on Seattle Ridge. 

    Photo: Daniel Krueger

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Rain and snow will make it easy to trigger an avalanche on a buried weak layer of snow. Specifically the surface hoar layer buried 1 to 3’ deep that has been responsible for many human triggered avalanches. This problem will be more concerning at mid and upper elevations where snow is piling up. These avalanches could be larger than expected, easier to trigger, and will likely release as natural avalanches. It goes without saying, traveling in or below steep slopes is not recommended. Seeking fresh snow on steep slopes will likely have severe consequences. 

    (4/2/2025)

    Natural avalanche that propagated across the slope in Whitter. This is the same type of avalanches we have been seeing that failed on the buried surface hoar. 

    Photo: Daniel Krueger

  • Storm Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Certain
    Größe
    1–2.5

    We are not entirely sure how much snow has fallen in the mountains already. With another 1” or 1’ of snow expected today above 2000’ avalanches in the new snow will be almost certain. Sustained strong southeast winds averaged 45 mph overnight and 60+ mph gust expected today will be overloading any slopes exposed to the wind. Due to the intensity of the wind, wind slabs will be forming at mid elevations as well. These will probably be releasing as natural wind slab avalanches throughout the day. 

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