You will find Moderate avalanche danger on upper-elevation slopes facing W-SE. The problem is wind-drifted snow: look for cohesive slabs up to a foot thick beneath exposed ridges. While these wind slabs are dangerous on their own, they are also stressing persistent weak layers. Stick to non-wind-loaded slopes to avoid triggering these overlapping hazards.
Strong west winds are drifting snow into soft slabs up to 12 inches thick. These slabs are most common on upper-elevation leeward slopes, but you should also watch for sensitive drifts below exposed mid-elevation ridges. Shooting cracks within the surface snow will be a key indicator that the snow is stiff enough to create reactive slabs.
On W-N-E facing slopes, you will find buried persistent weak layers, though the specific structure depends on the slope's avalanche history. In areas that did not avalanche during the December 6-7 cycle, you'll find a thin crust with facets buried beneath Wednesday's Cascadian mixture of refrozen snow and graupel. This setup hasn't been reactive in tests yet, but that may be different today, where wind drifts additional snow. Conversely, on slopes that did avalanche during the December 6-7 cycle, the snowpack consisted entirely of facets and 'lay in wait' for a cohesive slab to develop above. It is unlikely that the snow and wind overnight is enough to overload these layers a cause natural avalanches; however, it is possible they will be reactive to the additional weight of a rider. Cracking and collapsing will be bullseye indicators that the weak layers are teetering on the edge of failure.
View Greg's observations from the upper cottonwoods here.
Unseasonably warm temperatures and rain falling on snow below 8000 feet may create loose wet avalanches. While these slides may be small, the heavy, wet debris can be dangerous in tight spots. Avoid terrain traps like road banks, creek beds, and gully walls where this heavy snow can pile up deeply and bury a person.
Overnight, 2 to 6 inches of snow with 0.3 to 0.9 inches of snow water equivalent, with the rain-snow line between 7500 and 8000 feet. Winds were blowing out of the West 15-25 mph with gusts into the 40s along the highest ridges.
For today, skies will be mostly cloudy with occasional snow showers. We could see an additional 1 to 3 inches before sunset.Temperatures remain on the warm side with freezing levels hovering around 9000 feet, but will feel cooler with cloud cover and a light breeze. Winds are easing and should continue that trend before bumping up during the early evening hours.
Looking ahead, theweather looks to remain active with another warm storm moving through tomorrow into Tuesday.
Check out the Week in Review to catch up on the evolution of current conditions.
There were no reported avalanches yesterday. There are several recent observations worth viewing here.
This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
