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
2 · Moderato
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In sintesi

The primary concern remains triggering a buried weak layer 1 to 2' deep, especially on northerly aspects and terrain above 2,000'. In these areas, the snowpack is still dry and winter-like despite the calendar date. On southerly aspects, warming from afternoon sunshine may trigger natural wet loose avalanches later in the day. Lingering wind slabs from recent southwest winds could also be triggerable along ridgelines and convex terrain at upper elevations. To manage these hazards, you can approach steep terrain with caution and consider sticking to lower-angle slopes, particularly on northerly aspects where the persistent slab problem is most pronounced.

WEDNESDAY AVALANCHE OUTLOOK: A new pulse of moisture arrives early Wednesday morning, bringing up to 6" of new snow accompanied by strong southeast winds. This loading will add stress to existing weak layers and has the potential to form fresh wind slabs at upper elevations. The rain/snow line is expected to rise to around 1,500', increasing the chance of wet avalanches at lower elevations. Spring-like conditions will persist at lower elevations while mid-winter structure remains above 2,000'. Cautious terrain selection and conservative decision-making will be essential during this unsettled weather.

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Forecast Operations: We have transitioned to our late season forecasting schedule, issuing forecasts Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Our last forecast will be Thursday, April 30th followed by our annual "Spring Tips" on May 1st. 

Hiking on trails below avalanche paths this time of year is dangerous and not recommended.  Avalanches may release into valley bottoms, covering up summer hiking trails. This includes the Marathon Jeep Trail, which is a terrain trap for most of the hike. Other trails in this area that can be dangerous right now include the Russian Lakes trail to the Barber Cabin, Crescent Lake, Ptarmigan Lake, and Victor Creek Trail. 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Recent Avalanches: Yesterday afternoon, a skier triggered a large avalanche on the north side of Tincan near Todd's Run in steep rocky terrain. No one was caught. A large natural avalanche was also observed on the Shakespeare Glacier, which propagated widely across the slope. Both events failed on weak layers 1 to 3' deep in the snowpack.

    Wintery conditions still dominate above 2000' and on northerly aspects, despite the warm temperatures and melting snow in town. The snowpack is harboring several weak layers in the upper 2', including layers of facets and buried surface hoar.  These weak layers are causing large human-triggered avalanches and remain reactive in snowpit tests on northerly aspects. 

    It is an easy time of year to be caught off guard by buried weak layers, because the snowpack feels like a springtime setup at lower elevations and on southern slopes. However, there is still a good chance of triggering an avalanche 1 to 2' deep on a buried weak layer. To avoid this avalanche problem, we recommend sticking to lower-angle terrain and avoiding terrain traps that could increase the consequences of triggering an avalanche. 

    Lingering Wind Slabs formed by recent southwest winds and light snow may also be triggerable today. These slabs could be 6 to 12" deep and are most likely found along ridgelines, in gullies, and on convex rolls above 2,000'. Watch for hollow or punchy snow in these locations and look for shooting cracks as a sign of touchy wind slab conditions.

    (4/20/2026) 

    Skier triggered avalanche near Todd's Run on Tincan yesterday afternoon. It looks like it stepped down to a buried weak layer about 2' deep. 

  • Loose Wet

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

    The sun is expected to come back out today, which will bring warming to southern aspects and is likely to cause natural wet loose avalanches. So far this season, these avalanches have remained relatively small and confined to steep southern aspects. Later in the day, small point releases in steep rocky terrain have the potential to entrain more snow and grow larger as they run downhill.

    To manage this problem, watch for signs of surface warming, such as roller balls or snowballing. If you begin sinking more than ankle-deep into wet snow, it is time to move to shadier aspects or higher elevations. Be aware, however, that northerly and shaded slopes still hold the persistent slab problem described above.

    4/21/26 6am

    Clouds breaking up over Turangain Arm, likely bringing more sunshine and potential for wet avalanches today.

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