The National Weather Service Forecasts-

TODAY...SNOW IN THE MORNING. RAIN. SNOW ACCUMULATION TO 1 INCH.
HIGHS AROUND 35. SOUTHEAST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH.

TONIGHT...SNOW IN THE EVENING...MAINLY NORTH OF AUKE BAY OR IN
TAKU INLET...OTHERWISE RAIN. SNOW ACCUMULATION TO 2 INCHES. LOWS 29 TO 37. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH.

SUNDAY...RAIN AND SNOW LIKELY. SNOW ACCUMULATION TO 2 INCHES.
HIGHS AROUND 35. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT...SNOW LIKELY AND CHANCE OF RAIN. LOWS 28 TO 34.
SOUTHEAST WIND 15 TO 25 MPH.

Temperatures have remained right at freezing at the Mt Roberts Tram summit for the last 48 hours after dropping about 2 degrees from the previous two days with rain and warming most of the way up our mountain starting zones.

Near freezing temperatures help the snowpack to settle and bond rapidly(metamorphism). The closer temps are to freezing the more rapidly this healing process occurs.

Winds have picked up in the last 6 hours blowing from 15-30. This has the ability to move the nearly 2\" of snow we received in the last 24 hours. This snow came in quite wet and is not easily transportable but up high in our local region look to see small slabs building on NNW facing slopes.

Temps are to remain cool today right at the freezing mark and slightly below. Precip rates are to remain minimal. This will start to add to the danger level over time as snow starts to accumulate over the next 24-48 hours.

Most of our previous snowpack is stable but always be aware of weakness in windloaded areas, or under cornices. Also look at how the snowpack is bonding in areas with few or no anchors.

Please remember this is not a complete backcountry avalanche forecast. This forecast is intended for the urban areas off of Mt Juneau.

Remember to get a good snowpack education and develop the ability to make educated decisions on your own.

Be safe out there and happy holidays!

Metamorphism:

From the instant snow hits the ground, it begins an endless process of metamorphism. No commonly-occurring substance in nature undergoes such dramatic and rapid changes because snow exists near its ?triple point?, meaning that solid, liquid and vapor phases all exist at the same time. In other words, small, subtle changes in temperature, pressure, humidity and temperature gradient can have a dramatic effect on the type of snow crystal that forms. This makes snow one of the most complex and changeable substances on Earth.

We will be hosting another avalanche awareness course Saturday January 11th from 9am to 330pm at the Eaglecrest Ski Area. To register contact [email protected]