Avalanche forecast

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Yesterday's weak storm continues today bringing a few more inches of new snow above 1,400' with moderate southeast wind. The main concern will be the chance that a person could trigger an avalanche up to 1' deep in windblown snow above 2,500'. Small, Wet Loose avalanches could be triggered by a person below 2,500' where wet snow and rain are falling. We expect that human-triggered avalanches today will be small in Turnagain Pass, but it is always good to use safe travel practices and consider the consequences below if you are choosing steep slopes.

Girdwood - There is especially weak snow buried 1 to 2' deep in the Girdwood area at all elevations. Take some extra time to assess the snowpack in this area before committing to steep slopes.

Portage/Placer - This area received significantly more precipitation and is more dangerous than Turnagain Pass today. It is likely that a person could trigger a large avalanche within the new storm snow or within deeper layers of weak snow. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended in this area today.

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Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    The avalanche picture is complex today. There were a variety of surfaces present (surface hoar, facets, and sun crust) on different aspects before the snow began to fall yesterday, which can affect the way the new snow sticks (or doesn't) to the old snow. Turnagain Pass and Girdwood have received 2 to 4" of new snow so far, while Portage and Placer received almost 1' of new snow above rainline within the last 24 hours. 

    It will be important today to evaluate whichever slopes you choose to ride. Riding on small test slopes is a good way to see how new and windblown snow are bonding to the snow beneath. New snow amounts increase with elevation, so there could be quite a bit more new snow above 2,500' than there was on the weather stations. Ensure you are re-evaluating as you travel through different elevations. Traveling one at a time on steep slopes and choosing slopes without consequences below are some things you can do to reduce your chances of a serious outcome if you get caught in any of today's problems. 

    Wind Slabs could be easy to trigger today just below ridgelines, on steep rolls, and in cross-loaded gullies. A shooting crack means an avalanche could be triggered and the snowpack needs time to adjust. This type of avalanche will be smaller in Turnagain Pass and Girdwood and larger in Portage and Placer.

    Loose Snow Avalanches are something to pay attention to today. On steep slopes with cold snow, Dry Loose Avalanches could entrain lots of snow making it difficult to ride or escape. Wet snow and rain are falling below 2,500' making Wet Loose Avalanches possible to be triggered by a person. Watch for rollerballs to know you could trigger this type of avalanche. 

    (4/8/2026)

    National Weather Service snowfall graphic for 4AM Wednsday to 4AM Thursday showing expected snowfall totals during this time period. Portage and Placer are not listed, but yellow and orange colors indicate higher snowfall amounts.

    Graphic courtesy of the National Weather Service Anchorage 

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