A persistent weak layer remains the primary concern - stick to conservative terrain free from overhead hazard.
Watch for new and reactive wind slabs forming at upper elevations.
Mixed precipitation and strong winds will build small new wind slabs at upper elevations. Be aware of changing conditions as you travel into wind affected terrain.
Triggering of this problem is moving into the low probability, high consequence realm especially in and around the Lizard Range. In the Flathead signs of instability are more frequent, with more recent avalanche activity.
No new avalanches were reported in the last 2 days. While reports of avalanche activity have tapered, the snowpack structure remains a concern.
Forecast warm temperatures, mixed precipitation and strong winds will sustain conditions for human triggering.
A few centimeters of new snow and strong winds may build small wind slabs at upper elevations.
Multiple weak layers of surface hoar and/or crust–facet combinations may be present within the upper meter of the snowpack. The most reactive layer, formed in late January, is buried 40–90 cm deep. Recent avalanches have primarily failed on this surface hoar layer, particularly in steep, sheltered terrain at treeline and below.
While this layer has shown reduced reactivity near the ski hill and in the Lizard Range, riders are still sporadically triggering it across the forecast area.
Saturday Night
Cloudy. 2 to 4 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Sunday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 70 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 4 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Tuesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
