...STRONG WIND THROUGH THIS MORNING...

TODAY...INCREASING CLOUDS. LOCALLY WINDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE LATE AFTERNOON. HIGHS AROUND 40. NORTHEAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH. WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH IN THE MORNING NEAR DOWNTOWN JUNEAU AND OUT OF INTERIOR PASSES.

TONIGHT...CHANCE OF SNOW...THEN RAIN AND SNOW LIKELY LATE. SNOW
ACCUMULATION TO 2 INCHES. SNOW LEVEL RISING TO 200 FEET. LOWS
AROUND 28...THEN RISING OVERNIGHT. NORTHEAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH.

SATURDAY...RAIN LIKELY. SNOW LEVEL 900 FEET IN THE MORNING.
HIGHS AROUND 43. NORTHEAST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH.

Oh that north wind doth blow ... Outflow winds picked up throughout the day yesterday creating top loading in most of the channel slide paths and cross loading in all the gold creek/perserverance slide paths.

The main hazard this morning continues to be direct loading of new snow. Numerous small and medium size slides were reported yesterday in fresh windslab, but none of them stepped down into deeper layers.

The Flume and Perserverance trails should continue to be avoided.

Avalanche Danger is HIGH this morning due to the likelihood of natural avalanches, but sizes are not expected to be large. Natural avalanches likely this morning, becoming less so when the wind dies off later today, potentially destructive avalanches unlikely to come near or reach developed areas. Except the Flume Trail and Perserverance Basin which should be avoided all day!

Human triggered avalanches likely. Unstable slabs likely on wind loaded terrain getting more tender as the day goes on. In Urban Zones this is a good time to stay out from under avalanche terrain when possible. Backcountry Travelers need to select route with care and attention to wind loading locally. Extra caution is advised with particular attention to wind affected slopes, SE - W facing aspects.

HELP TO COMPANIONS
After it is too late to avoid:

The sequence of the help to companions depends always on the situation. However, there are some clear indications for the sequence of a victim search.

Observe avalanche - Number of victims? Number of helpers?

Primary search area?

One helper: Begin search immediately, several helpers: Division of tasks (make emergency call, as many searchers with transceivers as necessary, shoveling teams)

All helpers set the avalanche transceivers on receive

Coarse search, refined search, pinpointing according to system

After pinpointing the location of the first buried victim, clear the mouth area as quickly as possible and execute life-saving measures (respiration, consciousness, circulation - ABC's of lifesaving)

Continue the search for other victims only then (unless there are enough helpers on the ground, then this can also run in parallel)

Inform mountain rescue division (European emergency number 112)

Pay attention to hypothermia and circulation during rescue and evacuation.

Principle of all urban/backcountry users should be to avoid avalanche accidents by a risk-conscious selection of terrain management. There is no substitute for spending time in the field with a professional avalanche educator.