The National Weather Service Forecasts-

TODAY...RAIN DIMINISHING IN THE MORNING. HIGHS AROUND 38 TO 45.
VARIABLE WIND 10 MPH BECOMING EAST IN THE MORNING.

TONIGHT...RAIN IN THE EVENING...THEN SCATTERED RAIN SHOWERS LATE. LOWS AROUND 39. SOUTHEAST WIND INCREASING TO 10 TO 20 MPH IN THE EVENING.

THURSDAY...RAIN SHOWERS. HIGHS AROUND 43. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT...CLOUDY. SCATTERED RAIN SHOWERS. LOWS AROUND 37. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH.

Temperatures have been quite warm for the last several days and have stayed above freezing at the Mt Roberts Tram Summit elevation for over 60 hours now. This is eroding the bonds in the snowpack.

The Mt Roberts Tram peaked at 41f degrees last night at 8pm. It has currently fallen to 36f but is expected to warm up again today. Eaglecrest is 33f on top. 36f at mid mountain and 40f at the base area.

We have received 7mm of precipitation at the Mt Roberts Tram summit since 1am last night. Eaglecrest is showing quite a bit less with only 2.3mm of precipitation. In both cases the snowpack lost 2cm overall due to settlement, consolidation, and melting.

Over time this will add great stability to the snowpack but until temps go back below freezing danger remains.

We had a weak layer in place from the snow late last week with about 30cm of new snow (at higher elevations) on top of old hard ice. This new snow bonded poorly at first but has since gained some strength.

During this warming look to see weakness in several forms. You may see wet loose avalanches in places at lower elevations. You may also see wet slab avalanches at upper elevations near summit and ridgeline in steep open faces with fewer anchors. Glide is also continuing around the region. Yesterday I saw several new glide cracks opening up. Be aware of these areas and recognize how unpredictable they are.

With this in mind avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE today. Natural Avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are likely in places.

The forecast does not call for much in the way of precipitation. This should help maintain some stability yet with these warm temps in place expect to see some activity at varying elevations primarily in the form of wet loose avalanches.

I hope these temps start to cool off soon! COME ON SNOW>

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]