After heavy snowfall, avalanche danger is high

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Sunday, February 26th, 2023 3:41pm

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Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The current advisory as of Feb. 26 is high, and expires at 7:00 a.m. Monday.

After the recent large snowfall with continued outflow winds, avalanche danger remains high Sunday.

Numerous avalanches have been cited around the region both during the storm event and yesterday with moderate outflow winds.

The snowfall was very light and therefore easily transported.

The forecast calls for increasing winds over the next 24 to 48 hours which should continue to trigger wind slab and potentially storm slab avalanches on varying aspects.

Currently, it’s 11°F at Eaglecrest.  They received no new snow. Winds are mild peaking and only 19 mph from the northeast Saturday.

The tram saw slightly higher winds peeking at 25 mph. 

Currently, it’s 16°F at the tram with 16 to 18-mile-an-hour winds. 

This is still more than enough to move snow with the low-density snow from the last few days. 

The Mount Roberts gauges show a 2-inch loss in snowpack due to wind transport.

Juneau had notable weakness in the snowpack before the storm event and larger-than-usual avalanches remain possible, especially in the urban environment where there has been very little activity this year.

Tom Mattice, Emergency Program Manager with the city, advises avoiding avalanche areas and limiting the exposure to avalanche terrain as winds continue.

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