The National Weather Service Forecasts-

TODAY...BREEZY. RAIN DIMINISHING BY AFTERNOON. HIGHS AROUND
41. SOUTHEAST WIND 15 TO 25 MPH.

TONIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE EVENING. INCREASING CLOUDS
OVERNIGHT. PATCHY FOG IN WIND SHELTERED AREAS. LOWS 26 TO 32.
EAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH.

MONDAY...DECREASING CLOUDS. PATCHY FOG IN THE MORNING. HIGHS
AROUND 36. NORTHEAST WIND 10 MPH.

We received quite a bit of new snow up high earlier in the week that came in cold and dry. Temperatures were low at that time.

Yesterday at upper elevations we received a fair amount of heavier wetter snow. This placed heavy, wet snow on top of looser lighter snow which will start to build a weaker snowpack on top of several weak layers already in place. This is often refered to as an upside down snowpack.

At lower elevations we saw quite a bit of rain that erodes the bonds between the snow crystals.

We have also seen a fair amount of wind transport that often leads to slab instability.

Field work continues to show sensative weak layers that are being easily triggered in places. There is a weak layer from over a week ago down deep in the pack as well as another weak layer from yesterday up higher in the snowpack.

There has been some limited natural avalanche activity already. In places that have not seen activity there is a possibility the mousetrap has been set.

At this time danger is Considerable yet slides large enough to effect the urban areas are not expected do to the low volumes on snow on the hill currently in place. It is still early season and we do not have a tremendous amount of snow in the starting zones. Fridays Mt Juneau field work showed between 100cm-165cm in our urban starting zones.

We have seen continued wind transport that needs to be taken into account. This could create very sensative weak layers in places and has the ability to trigger natural avalanches.

Danger is Considerable in the Urban Avalanche Zones at this time. This is partially due to the lack of a human trigger for the avalanche.

Remember in the backcountry danger levels may be higher as you add the avalanche trigger (YOU).

Please remember this is an avalanche forecast for the urban areas in the city of Juneau Only.

If you are a backcountry traveler please make sure you have the education and the tools to make good decisions and travel safely.

Remember, No Partner, No Tranceiver, No Probe, No Shovel, No Training??? NO TRAVELING IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN!

Special Thanks to all who joined us for the second annual Southeast Alaska Snow Avalanche Workshop (SEASAW).

The presenters all hope their efforts gave you something to consider as you head out into the backcountry this winter.

Special thanks to our door prize raffle donors Smith, Da Kine, Hestra, Backcounty Access and the Mt Roberts Tramway!

For those of you looking for basic Avalanche Awareness Training there is a free course next Saturday, Dec. 11th from 9-3 pm. For more information and to sign up please call (907)586-0419