Silver Valley & Bitterroot Mountains

Cold temperatures have helped lock up the snowpack and increase stability. A small storm over the weekend improved ski conditions, but coverage still remains thin. Expect light snow to be hiding natural hazards such as rocks and downed trees. 

The recent storm that swept in on Friday night deposited just over 5 inches of fresh snow in the upper mountains, reigniting the winter stoke. The storm exhibited a "right-side-up" pattern, commencing with warmer conditions and progressively cooling off. This pattern is conducive to stable snow conditions and optimal skiing conditions. Initially starting as rain on Friday night, the storm created a robust and supportive crust. Following the snowfall, a cold front persisted over the weekend, maintaining temperatures in the 20s and below, contributing to the light and enjoyable quality of the fresh powder.

Monday's observations around Granite Peak indicated that the formed rain crust is sufficiently supportive for skiing, and the new snow has effectively bonded to it. Widespread surface hoar was noted on all aspects due to the cold and clear spell over the weekend. A snow pit dug on a sheltered NW-facing slope at 6,500 ft revealed that the layer of buried surface hoar, approximately 50 centimeters down, remained intact and propagated with hard force. These findings were somewhat unusual, and this persistent weak layer (PWL) remains highly isolated and challenging to locate. Encountering this inconsistent buried surface hoar would require finding an open slope concealed in the trees at upper elevations on a NE-N-NW aspect with a deeper snowpack.

Today, cloud cover is expected to return, bringing a small trace of snow, likely less than an inch, throughout the day. Following this, high pressure will once again dominate, causing temperatures to rise back into the 30s starting Wednesday.

**Education reminder- Youth Backcountry 101 class (ages 13-17) is February 9th (evening) and February 10th (Schweitzer). If you have a youth getting into the backcountry, this is the class for them! Sign up on our website- idahopanhandleavalanche.org