Item: Investigating the Snow Climate of Turnagain Pass, Alaska
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Title: Investigating the Snow Climate of Turnagain Pass, Alaska
Proceedings: Proceedings, 2012 International Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska
Authors:
- Wendy Wagner [ Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center, Girdwood, Alaska ]
Date: 2012
Abstract: Turnagain Pass, Alaska, which is a popular destination for backcountry enthusiasts located 40 miles southeast of Anchorage, does not fit neatly into one of the three snow climate categories (coastal, intermountain and continental). The following study investigates this fit by analyzing the past 28 seasons of SNOTEL data recorded in the heart of Turnagain Pass along with records kept by the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center. Preliminary findings suggest Turnagain Pass is a combination of snow climates that can fluctuate dramatically from season to season. The most extreme examples include three seasons with continental characteristics and fourteen seasons representative of a coastal climate. The variability is reflected by the wide range of avalanche characteristics which include seasons marked with direct action activity followed by a quickly stabilizing snowpack to seasons plagued with depth hoar and deep slab instability. This paper concludes with a brief discussion of challenges encountered as well as future data necessary for a more complete study.
Object ID: issw-2012-913-917.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): unknown
Keywords: backcountry, snow climate, avalanche terrain
Page Number(s): 913-917
Subjects: snow climate data collection
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