Avalanche Advisory Archive Pre-2016

Date Issued:2016-02-09
Danger:2
Trend:4
Probability:2
Size:2
Problem:7
Discussion:

The National Weather Service Forecasts-

TODAY...PATCHY FOG EARLY IN THE MORNING. RAIN...ENDING EARLY IN
THE MORNING. HIGHS AROUND 42. LIGHT WINDS BECOMING NORTHEAST 10 TO 15 MPH BY THE AFTERNOON.

TONIGHT...RAIN LATE. LOWS 36 TO 41. NORTHEAST WIND 10 TO
20 MPH. NEAR DOWNTOWN JUNEAU AND DOUGLAS...GUSTS TO 35 MPH.

WEDNESDAY...CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE MORNING...THEN RAIN IN THE
AFTERNOON. HIGHS AROUND 44. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT...RAIN. LOWS AROUND 39. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 MPH.
THURSDAY...RAIN. HIGHS AROUND 43. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 MPH.

THE WARMTH OF FEBRUARY 8TH WAS RECORD-BREAKING. KLAWOCK AND
JUNEAU BOTH EXPERIENCED RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES.

We will experience some cooling today but with possible forecast lows for tonight at 41f and tomorrow at 44f things are going to stay quite warm.

Yesterday morning the Mt Roberts Tram summit reported 36f. By 7pm last night it was up to 39f. It has since dropped back to 34f. Eaglecrest was much the same with 34f at the base, 32f at mid mountain and 30f on top.

We received far less than the forecast precip totals. The tram picked up 6mm of precipitation and Eaglecrest had 5.1mm. In both cases we lost a great deal of snow. The tram summit showed a 7cm loss and Eaglecrest 8cm in settlement and loss.

This should help with snowpack stability greatly over time. As long as temperatures remain warm over the next 2 days danger will linger in avalanche prone areas.

Winds picked up for a while last night but with the warm temps and mostly rain, transport was limited and far less of a concern.

Avalanche danger is Moderate to Considerable today. Human triggered avalanches still possible and natural avalanches remain possible at in areas above freezing as the snow continues to clean itself off of the steep rocky areas.

With some cooling this morning and not much in the forecast for precipitation the chance of natural avalanches is not as likely. The snowpack is stabilizing yet its still weak at elevations where it has not frozen again after yesterdays warming and rain.

Human triggered avalanches may also still be possible. Be cautious around steep convex unsupported slopes.

Tip:

Eaglecrest is hosting an Backcountry Safety Awareness and Companion Rescue Course Saturday March 5th from 8:30am-3:30pm.

This course is free and sponsored by the Department of Public Safety.

During this day long course you will learn about avalanche terrain, weather, and stability assessment tests. You will also learn about Avalanche Rescue as well as transceiver, probe and shovel use.

Please share this offering with your friends. Lets all do out part to maintain a safe backcountry community.

For more information or to sign up please email [email protected]