Riders must manage various avalanche concerns that vary by elevation and aspect. Observe your local conditions and let that inform your terrain choices.
With recent wind, and various amounts of new snow, anticipate fresh wind slab development. Watch for these wind slab pockets, primarily at higher elevations where cold, dry snow persists.
A weak layer of facets exists near the base of the snowpack. Thinner snowpack areas and areas with variable thick and thin coverage at alpine elevations is where this problem is most likely found. April's warming temperatures may gradually increase the sensitivity of this layer, especially in thin snowpack areas.
No new avalanches have been reported since last week.
Anywhere from a trace to 50 cm of recent snow is settling and bonding at higher elevations and north-facing slopes.
On solar aspects at all elevations, and north aspects treeline and below, the recent snow either overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust or there is a crust at the surface. Watch for surface snow becoming moist in the afternoon.
The middle of the snowpack is generally well-settled and strong. A weak layer of facets at the base of the snowpack remains a concern, primarily in alpine terrain with shallow or variable (thick and thin) snowpack depths.
Wednesday night
Cloudy with clear periods. A chance of flurries in the North Rockies and trace accumulation. Mostly light west ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around -5 C. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries. Light to moderate south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around -5 C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries. Light south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around -5 C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries. Light south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperatures around -5 C. Freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
