Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Avalanche problems

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Likely

  Size

  1–2

  Strong east winds will blow snow into fresh wind slabs that will be easier to trigger at mid and upper elevations. Sheltered snow away from wind loaded slopes will be the safest option today. 

  The storm that arrived overnight is forecast to ramp up throughout the day bringing a few inches of new snow and strong east winds 20 to 40 mph gusting to 60+ mph. This will move snow into wind slabs up to 1 to 2’ deep. In some places, these will be forming on top of weak snow that formed over the past 2 weeks. These wind slabs will be larger and easier to trigger especially as snowfall and wind increase throughout the day. This avalanche problem can be found anywhere that is exposed to the wind including mid and upper elevations on wind deposited slopes. Specifically, below ridgelines and in cross loaded gullies. Stiff, hollow snow and shooting cracks underneath you are clues that you are traveling on a wind slab. Snow sheltered from the wind will be the safest option today. 

  Loose Wet: The chance of triggering a loose wet avalanche will increase later in the day as above freezing temperatures climb into upper elevations accompanied with rain. I tried hard not to use that word. Rollerballs are a good indicator that the snowpack is capable of triggering one of these avalanches. 

  

• 

  Glide Cracks

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline

  Likelihood

  Possible

  Size

  2–3

  Glide avalanche activity could increase in the afternoon as the rain/snow line is expected to reach 2,500’. These have been releasing on popular slopes all across the Turnagain forecast zone. Minimize time underneath glide cracks or stay away from them to avoid this problem. 

  New glide cracks are constantly forming on all slopes at mid and upper elevations. This storm is forecast to bring warm temperatures and rain that will likely increase the chance that more of these “brown” cracks will open and release as avalanches. They are unpredictable when they release and can be large and destructive sending debris to valley floors. Carefully navigate past these cracks or avoid them, especially since they may be hard to see in the storm.