Bollettino valanghe

Turnagain Pass and Girdwood

Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sat
Alta quota
4 · Forte
Limite del bosco
4 · Forte
Sotto il limite
4 · Forte
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In sintesi

We have extended our Avalanche Warning through the National Weather Service, in effect from 6 am today through 6 am tomorrow, for Anchorage, Girdwood, Portage, Turnagain Pass, Summit Lake, Lost Lake, and Seward. Heavy snowfall, rain, strong winds, and a weak snowpack have created very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain is NOT recommended. We received reports of large natural avalanches yesterday and expect more today. These large avalanches may run into lower elevation runout zones and have the potential to be remotely triggered from the flats. 

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Turnagain Pass.

AKDOT&PF will be conducting avalanche hazard reduction on the Seward Highway and Portage Glacier Highway. Motorists should expect intermittent delays of up to 45-60 minutes at multiple locations. Seward Highway • South of Girdwood and north of Portage: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm • Seward Hwy / Sterling Wye area: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm • Between Seward and Crown Point: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pmPortage Glacier Highway • 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Delays may be extended if avalanche debris reaches the roadway and requires removal.

Roof avalanches are likely again today in lower elevation communities such as Moose Pass, Seward, and Girdwood.  Pay attention to children and pets, and be mindful of where you park your vehicles.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Very Likely
    Dimensione
    1.5–2.5

    Recent avalanches: Large natural avalanches were observed near Girdwood and at Crescent Lake in the Summit Zone yesterday. 

    Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist throughout the region. Please avoid travel in avalanche terrain. Natural avalanches are likely, and human-triggered avalanches are very likely.  The current snowpack (see Problem 2) can be triggered remotely from flat terrain below, and avalanches will likely run down to valley bottoms. The atmospheric river pointed the fire hose at southcentral Alaska yesterday and overnight. There is a buffet of avalanche issues in the mountains today, all good reasons to find alternative activities to mountain recreation.  With 2+ feet of new snow at upper elevations and more forecast to fall today, storm slabs will be sensitive and easy to trigger.  Easterly winds have been strong and sustained, helping build large wind slabs in the alpine. Below approximately 1500', where rain has been falling, wet loose avalanches could also be a concern.  An avalanche failing in the upper snowpack may also step down to the buried weak layer, creating a much larger avalanche. 

    Upper elevation estimated storm totals since Wednesday night are listed below:

       Snowfall   Snow Water Equivalent (SWE)  Girdwood  3'  3"  Portage  2-3'  3"  Turnagain  1.5-2'  1.4"  Summit  1.5'  1.5"  Seward  2-3'  2.5"

    (1/15/26)

    An avalanche in motion off of Goat Mountain near Girdwood was observed mid-afternoon.

    Photo: George Creighton

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    There is a very well-documented layer of weak snow that formed in December, now buried 2 to 4' deep, as my good friend Wendy liked to say, "funny business" in the snowpack. We are very concerned about avalanches failing on this layer and being very large and connected. These have the potential to be very dangerous and destructive. There were multiple human-triggered avalanches in the Turnagain Pass zone between Sunday and Monday, January 11th and 12th. Most of these were triggered remotely from the bottom of, or adjacent to, the slope that avalanched. The heavy precipitation and wind loading are now adding stress to an already touchy snowpack, and knowing this spooky weak layer is lurking is a great reason to steer clear of avalanche terrain altogether. 

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