The National Weather Service Forecasts-

TODAY...AREAS OF FOG IN THE MORNING. RAIN DEVELOPING. IN THE
MENDENHALL VALLEY...RAIN AND SNOW DEVELOPING. SNOW ACCUMULATION UP TO 2 INCHES. HIGHS AROUND 36. EAST WIND 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTHEAST IN THE AFTERNOON.

TONIGHT...RAIN...HEAVY AT TIMES. RAIN MIXING WITH SNOW IN THE
MENDENHALL VALLEY. SNOW ACCUMULATION TO TO 2 INCHES. LOWS AROUND 32. SOUTHEAST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH INCREASING TO 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH LATE.

THURSDAY...RAIN. HIGHS AROUND 37. SOUTHEAST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH
SHIFTING TO THE SOUTHWEST IN THE AFTERNOON.

Freezing levels touched nearly 6000' for a short period over the last several days which remained quite warm.

We received 110mm (4.3\") of rain over the last 4 days. The last 40mm (1.6\") of which came after temperatures had fallen below freezing once again on the upper mountains.

This warming trend accompanied by large volumes of rain settled the snowpack greatly. During this event the snowpack developed drainage channels through the layering to allow it to process the rain. Once the snowpack freezes again completely it will make the deeper layers quite stable.

The precip we received during the end of the storm yesterday left quite a bit of new snow in our upper mountain regions during a short period of time.

During this event we also had quite high winds ranging from 20-45mph. This created storm snow slabs on lee slopes to be aware of.

Temperatures warmed again last night after 5pm to above the freezing point at the Mt Roberts Tram Summit.

This storm event deposited around 10\" of new snow at the Mt Roberts Tram Summit and much higher amounts at upper elevations. Eaglecrest mid mountain gauge is showing a little less with 6-8\" of new.

With wind deposits there may be 2-3 times that much in slabs on leeward slopes. Winds were primarily out of the SSE so look to see new slabs having developed on W through N aspects.

These slabs may be quite tender in places.

Avalanche danger is Moderate at this time.

Natural avalanches unlikely, potentially destructive avalanches unlikely to come near or reach developed areas.

Human triggered avalanches possible.

As we to through this afternoon into tonight the precipitation is forecast to pick back up again. Temps should remain cool for the most part.

We may see as much as an additional 10\" of snow at upper mountain elevations before tomorrow morning. Avalanche danger will continue to rise during this event.

Be careful if you head out into the backcountry. You will find mixed conditions.

The better the skiing... the more likely you are to find pockets of instability!

Remember to bring your avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel. Develop a rescue plan and train with your riding partners. This is crucial to insure proper performance during a rescue event.

There will be a one day FREE avalanche awareness class with companion rescue training held at Eaglecrest on Sunday January 20th from 9-4pm.

This class will teach you to identify avalanche terrain, how to do weather assesments and read what that may do to avalanche stability. We will discuss snowpack layering and its relation to stability. You will learn about safe travel practices in avalanche terrain. How to dig snowpits and make stability assesments for yourself. How to use your avalanche rescue gear, and perform companion rescue.

To sign up for this free educational offering please call Tom @ 209-9207 or email [email protected]

We look forward to having you involved