The National Weather Service Forecasts-

TONIGHT...SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES. SNOW ACCUMULATION 5 TO 11
INCHES. STORM TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATION 10 TO 17 INCHES. BREEZY
WITH AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW IN THE EVENING. LOWS AROUND 25.
SOUTHEAST WIND 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH DIMINISHING IN THE EVENING.

SUNDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY. CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS. HIGHS AROUND 33. NORTHWEST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH SNOW SHOWERS. SNOW
ACCUMULATION AROUND 1 INCH. LOWS AROUND 25. NORTHWEST WIND 10 MPH.

We have seen 12\" of snow in the last 24 hours at tram summit elevations and it continues to stack up at rapid rates.

We are expecting as much as a foot or more in the next 12 hours. This is a red flag indicator of high avalanche danger.

Winds of 15 to 35 MPH are crossloading our starting zones. Eaglecrest and Douglas Island Winds have been much higher averaging from 25-40 gusting over 50 during this first part of the storm.

True summit winds may have been higher along the channel as well but the Mt Roberts Gauge is located only at 1800'. The wind loading at this rate is another red flag indicator of building avalanche conditions.

Temperatures have increased by 7 degrees during this first part of the storm and are expected to rise another few degrees during the day tomorrow. This considerable warming trend is not a good thing for avalanche conditions.

As this snow continues to stack up at rapid rates accompanied by warming and high winds danger levels are HIGH.

Tomorrow will be a great day to head up to Eaglecrest.

By later tonight natural avalanches are likely and skier triggered avalanches are very likely.

Please avoid places like The Flume and Perseverance Trails as well as walking and jogging along Thane Road.

Slide sizes are growing to the size of a concern as we progress through the later part of this snowstorm.

Remember the basics of avalanche safety. Simply Avoid Avalanche Terrain During Periods of High Danger.

Without an avalanche transceiver, probe, shovel and a partner you have no ability to respond in companion rescue.

But by simply avoiding avalanche terrain you can eliminate the need.

Be Safe, Make good decisions, and Have a great day! Its NUKIN!

Changing weather can alter stability.
Both prior to your tour and throughout the day observe the weather.

A rapid increase in heat, precipitation, and especially wind can significantly alter snow stability.

Generally, warmer slopes tend to stabilize more quickly than shaded slopes. Warming helps the snowpack settle and densify more rapidly. This process is slowed on a shaded slope. However, if the snowpack is subject to a rapid warming, the snow becomes saturated with water and instability can increase.

Snow conditions will often dictate what aspect you choose to descend, but don't let the desire to find the best snow bias your stability evaluation.

When the snowpack is subject to a rapid warming, it can become very wet and unstable, increasing the stress on the overall snowpack. Rollerballs, point releases, and sloughs are all signs of rapid warming.

Timing your travel is critical as temperatures begin to rise. If you are sinking into wet snow 6\" or more, the snowpack is becoming saturated, and it is time to avoid avalanche terrain.