Above-freezing temperatures and rain will weaken surface snow and stress-buried weak layers. With snow levels rising to 8000 feet all of the mountains in the region will be affected by this warm up. Avoid traveling on steep open slopes and limit any time you spend below them.
This forecast is sponsored by OnX Backcountry.
With a mix of rain and snow and snow over the past 24 hours the snow surface has become stressed. This may cause layers of snow to lose strength and avalanche. If you notice the snow becoming saturated, it's time to reduce exposure to avalanche terrain.
The second day of warm temperatures and mixed precipitation will further stress the weak sugary snow buried at the base of the snowpack. It is difficult to know if or when the tipping point will be reached with Deep Persistent Slab problems. It is best to give them space and time.
It seems as if the battle between entrenched cold air and warm moist air is over. It will be warm with a wintry mix in the mountains today. This change from cold to warm with an addition of rain is not good for the snowpack. The abrubt change makes multiple avalanche problems possibilities. It is a good day to avoid traveling on steep open slopes and limit any time you spend below them.
