Avalanche danger remained high Thursday in the backcountry around Turnagain Pass and Turnagain Arm, according to the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center. The center is warning against backcountry travel.
More than 4 feet of snow has fallen on weak snowpack over the past three days, the center posted in an advisory Thursday morning.
Observers reported "downright spooky" test results while evaluating avalanche risk in the pass, the center says. Watch a video from the scene here.
"The old mantra to stay out of the mountains for at least 24 hours during and after a storm rings loud and true this week!" the advisory says.
The advisory applies to the backcountry and doesn't include highways, the railroad or Alyeska Resort.
Motorists may face delays Thursday on the Seward Highway as crews work to reduce avalanche danger, according to the center. The highway will be closed intermittently Thursday between Mile 44 and Mile 20 – including the areas of Summit Lake, Sterling Highway cutoff and Kenai Lake.
Drivers should expect delays of up to 45 minutes until about 5 p.m. Thursday, according to the center. Updates on road closures and delays can be found on the state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities website.
"The snowpack is proving very unstable right now and an avalanche triggered today in steep terrain will likely be unmanageable for a skier or snowmachiner," the avalanche information center says.
Anchorage Daily News / adn.com