The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Center in Girdwood AK has issued a Special Avalanche Bulletin.

* Timing…In effect from 4pm March 16, to 6am Monday, March 19, 2018.

* Affected Area…For Turnagain Pass and the Kenai and Western Chugach Mountains in and around Eastern Turnagain Arm.

* Avalanche Danger… Dangerous avalanche conditions will exist through the weekend due to 2-4 feet of snow sitting on an unstable base. Large human triggered avalanches have occurred every day this week and are likely through the weekend on all aspects and elevations. Natural avalanche activity will increase in the afternoons with daily warming and/or sun.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions… Choose terrain that is flat or less than 30 degrees in steepness and avoid runout zones for a safe weekend. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making skills will be necessary to identify and avoid unstable slopes.

Similar avalanche danger may exist at locations outside the coverage area of any avalanche center. Check www.avalanche.org for your closest avalanche center and to learn more about how to identify avalanche hazards.

This Special Bulletin does not apply to ski areas or highways where avalanche reduction measures are performed.

For more information visit www.cnfaic.org or call: CNFAIC staff on duty,

Heather Thamm (907) 230-2370 or Aleph Johnston-Bloom (970) 749-2912.