Avalanche Advisory Archive Pre-2016

Date Issued:2016-02-12
Danger:2
Trend:2
Probability:3
Size:2
Problem:6
Discussion:

The National Weather Service Forecasts-

TODAY...RAIN SHOWERS. HIGHS AROUND 45. LIGHT WINDS BECOMING
SOUTHEAST 10 TO 15 MPH IN THE MORNING. NEAR DOWNTOWN JUNEAU AND
DOUGLAS... SOUTHEAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS AROUND 35 MPH IN THE MORNING.

TONIGHT...CLOUDY. NUMEROUS RAIN SHOWERS...MIXING WITH SNOW SHOWERS LATE IN THE MENDENHALL VALLEY. LOWS 33 TO 38. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 MPH.

SATURDAY...NUMEROUS RAIN SHOWERS. SNOW LEVEL 1100 FEET IN THE
MORNING. HIGHS AROUND 41. EAST WIND 10 MPH.

Temperatures remain quite warm around the region. The Mt Roberts Tram summit has not gone below freezing in 4.5 days.

The Mt Roberts Tram had a low yesterday of 34f, a high of 43f and is currently holding at 36f. Eaglecrest is also warm reporting a mid mountain low yesterday of 34f and a high of 42f. Currently at Eaglecrest it is 38.5 at the base area, 35f at mid mountain and close to freezing near summit.

Yesterdays precipitation was light with the tram picking up 5mm while losing 4cm of the snowpack. Eaglecrest received less rain with only 3mm and a net loss of 3cm of snow.

Winds were quite strong for a period last night but have since died down a bit. The Tram is showing winds from 5-10mph and Eaglecrest is showing around 10-20. There is no snow available for transport with all this warm weather so wind plays a little less of a role other than it is accelerating the deterioration of the snowpack.

Avalanche Danger is MODERATE today. Natural Avalanches remain possible while human triggered avalanches are also possible they will not be widespread in most of our avalanche terrain.

Once again with 4+ days of above freezing temps and rain to summit look to see snow cleaning itself off of steep rock faces. Be aware of danger in steep unsupported convex rolls.

Also be aware of wet loose avalanches that can be started by a simple ball of snow falling off a rock.

Glide continues to be a concern. Look in the areas where you recreate to identify any glide hazards that may be exposing themselves. Remember to avoid areas of glide as they are quite unpredictable.

Hopefully temps will cool off a little tonight and bring us back into snowfall. This cooling should help with stability.

The precipitation forecast totals are low which will not add much to increased instability at this time.

COME ON SNOW>>>>

Tip:

Special Thanks to Mark Wilcox and friends for hosting the Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival last night. It was great to see so many friendly local faces out in the middle of the week. Thank you for doing your part to make Juneau a great place to live and play! Keep educating your friends and ski partners. LIVE TO RIDE ANOTHER DAY!

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]