The National Weather Service Forecasts-

STRONG WIND TONIGHT FOR DOWNTOWN JUNEAU AND DOUGLAS...

TODAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY. NUMEROUS RAIN SHOWERS IN THE MORNING. HIGHS AROUND 45. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 MPH BECOMING EAST IN THE AFTERNOON.

TONIGHT...LOCALLY WINDY. MOSTLY CLOUDY. PATCHY FOG. CHANCE OF RAIN LATE. LOWS 33 TO 40...WARMEST NEAR DOWNTOWN. EAST WIND 10 MPH... EXCEPT NORTHEAST WIND INCREASING TO 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH NEAR DOWNTOWN JUNEAU AND DOUGLAS IN THE EVENING.

FRIDAY...RAIN. HIGHS AROUND 40. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

The snowpack at the Mt Roberts Tram Summit level has not seen freezing temperatures in 3 1/2 days now. Conditions remain quite warm around the region.

Yesterdays low at the tram was 35f. High of 43f. Currently its 37f.

Eaglecrest showed much the same with a mid mountain low of 36f. A high of 42f and currently 37f. The summit is currently 34f and the base area is hovering over 40f.

Yesterday we received 11mm of precipitation at the Mt Roberts Tram summit reducing our snowpack by 5cm. Eaglecrest only received 5mm yet lost closer to 9cm of snow overall.

This continued warm weather is weakening the bonds especially on the steep open areas with poor ground bonding or fewer anchors. Look to see steep rocky areas cleaning themselves off through the warm part of the day and rain. Look to see wet loose avalanches and point release avalanches in places below these areas.

Also be aware that we are still seeing a lot of glide in the region. We have not gone back into another widespread glide avalanche event but that is not to say all those moving slabs wont become weak enough at some point to fail. Be cautious in these areas.

Be aware of steep open faces and convex rolls with poor support. The snowpack may also be weak in these steeper areas.

Avalanche danger is Considerable today. Both natural and human triggered avalanches remain possible.

It looks like things will start to cool off after the weekend which should help with overall stability.

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]