Avalanche danger in Turnagain Pass heightened by weak layers

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The Chugach Nationwide Forest Avalanche Info Heart is warning folks in opposition to visiting greater elevations within the Turnagin Cross area over the weekend as a consequence of avalanche hazard.

Andrew Schauer, the lead forecaster on the CNFAIC, stated there’s nonetheless appreciable avalanche hazard at greater elevations, regardless that the climate has quieted down from final month. Schauer stated that as a rule of thumb, areas with thinner layers of snowpack are essentially the most harmful.

“We’ve these very weak layers which have been making avalanches for nearly three weeks now,” Schauer stated. “And regardless that there’s not a complete lot occurring weather-wise, it’s nonetheless a harmful setup. And final weekend was very comparable. It was a quiet climate weekend, and there have been a ton of human-triggered avalanches.”

Schauer in contrast the layers of snow to a layer cake. At the moment, the weaker layers are buried beneath the stronger layers. The avalanche middle’s forecast for Turnagin Arm signifies the weak layer is roughly two ft beneath the floor.

“Proper now we’ve a type of stronger layers sitting on prime of a type of weaker layers,” Schauer stated. “And that’s what’s inflicting these issues.”

Schauer says to stay at low elevations with a view to keep protected.

“Proper now, all of us are maintaining it very mellow, sticking to low-angle terrain and avoiding a few of these greater, steeper slopes which might be extra enjoyable to mess around on, however we simply don’t have the boldness in snowpack to justify it,” Schauer stated.

The CNFAIC posts forecasts every day, and the Hatcher Cross Avalanche Heart additionally posts avalanche forecasts on its web site.

Copyright 2023 KTUU. All rights reserved.