Bollettino valanghe

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Wed
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
Senza grado
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 2 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Above 2,500’ strong east winds will make it easy for a human to trigger a wind slab avalanche 1 to 3’ deep. Below 2,500’ wet avalanches may be a concern where rain has saturated the snowpack. The safest option is to avoid steep wind loaded slopes, and consider more conservative objectives today if you find yourself above treeline. Continue to look out for and avoid glide cracks if at all possible.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Our main concern is fresh wind slabs 1 to 2’ deep that formed overnight and will continue to grow today. Up to 5" of snow is forecast with strong east winds averaging 20 to 30 mph.  They will be easier to trigger in upper elevations on steep wind loaded slopes. Storm slab avalanches are also possible as more than 2’ of snow fell above 2,500’. In some areas this snow fell over a buried weak layer. This may increase the chance of triggering one of these avalanches, but we don’t know how these weak layers are adjusting to all of this new snow. Something to look out for. 

    Looking for red flags may help your decision making when deciding if you should travel in avalanche terrain today. Wind slabs usually form below ridges, under cornices and convex rollovers. Blowing snow and shooting cracks are red flags indicating wind slabs are forming and capable of avalanching. Slopes with a buried weak layer beneath you may have red flags such as cracking and collapsing. Recent avalanche activity is a huge red flag for all of these problems so look for them. 

    Traveling in avalanche terrain today is dangerous so it is recommended to be aware of these red flags as you travel, look for and avoid terrain that may harbor wind slabs, and ease into steep terrain. Mellower slopes are the safest option to avoid these problems.

    Here are the totals from Thursday through Tuesday morning with estimated snowfall amounts above 2500':

    • Girdwood: 4.01" water (24-32" snow)
    • Portage: 13.29" water (40 -60" snow)
    • Turnagain Pass: 4.1" water (20-36" snow)
    • Summit Lake: 0.8" water (7-9" snow) 
    • Seward/Lost Lake: 2.0" water (14-30" snow) 

    (12/22/2024)

    Flat light making it challenging to see recent avalanche activity. 

    Photo: Wendy Wagner

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    With over 4” of rain below 2,500’, you are more likely to trigger a wet snow avalanche in mid elevations. Wet loose avalanches could be a concern today if the snow is wet enough to slide underneath you on the skin track or on steep test slopes. 

    Look out for larger wet slab avalanche which may be an issue if the snow is so warm that your boot penetrates knee deep in wet snow.

    (12/22/2024)

    Tincan meadows with open water and wet snow.

    Photo: Wendy Wagner

  • Glide Cracks

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    2–3

    Warm storms generally increase glide avalanche activity. Poor visibility has not allowed us the chance to see recent avalanches, but if you get out today look for them. If you do see glide cracks it is best to avoid them.

Regioni coperte