The National Weather Service Forecasts-

TODAY...PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING. RAIN. HIGHS AROUND 39.
NORTHEAST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH BECOMING SOUTHEAST 10 TO 20 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

TONIGHT...RAIN. LOWS AROUND 36. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH
DIMINISHING LATE.

TUESDAY...RAIN SHOWERS LIKELY. HIGHS AROUND 38. SOUTHEAST WIND
15 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTH IN THE AFTERNOON.

The temperature at the Mt Roberts Weather Station is showing 34f degrees this morning, the Eaglecrest base is coming in warmer at 36f degrees. Mid mountain is holding at 34f degrees and the summit is right about freezing.

Winds have been fairly mild over the last 24 hours with periods of calm and light winds at times.

We have received less than .25\" of precipitation in the last 24 hours. That is showing up as all rain on the local snow gauges. The summit elevations may have seen a little new snow but with not much accumulation at lower elevations the danger in the Urban Area is LOW at this time.

Forecast models are showing more than an inch of precipitation in the next 24 hours. This will add significant stress to the snowpack. The forecast is set as MODERATE for this reason. There is not much new snow in place to effect at the current time.

At upper elevations where we hope to see this come in as snow be aware this will add tremendous load over a short period of time. This will be wet heavy snow if at all with densities as much as 2-3 times normal. Bonding will vary. In places you may see good strength and bonding, in others they may act like wet slab avalanches and run easily and of course areas of windslab building on lee slopes near summit and ridgeline should be expected above snowline if we get that lucky

Winds are expected to start light and become more moderate to considerable mid day. Once again as precip levels increase and winds increase look to see the snowpack start to change and become more reactive with those wet slides possible down low, but more especially storm slabs and wind slabs building at our uppermost elevations that hopefully remain above snow line.

Danger levels will increase over the next 24 hours. Small Avalanches will become more likely as the storm continues.

Have a great day and use caution as the storm continues to build.

Here is a link to a great online avalanche course from our friends in New Zealand.

http://www.avalanche.net.nz/education/Online-Avalanche-Course/Intro.asp