The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE today and human triggered avalanches are again likely especially in any terrain where fresh drifts of wind blown snow have formed. Continue to avoid steep slopes.
Weak faceted sugary snow at the base of the snowpack is causing avalanches. Recent wind loading has overloaded a few more slopes. Many slopes are on the verge. STAY OFF ALL STEEP SLOPES.
A couple of decent size natural avalanches occurred within the last 48 hours. One in upper Spring Creek south of the kiting lot and one on the notorious Wedding Ring Ridge. SPRING CANYON REPORT and WEDDING RING REPORT
Below: Spring Creek
Below: Wedding Ring Ridge
Current Conditions: The strong northwest wind continued over the last 24 hours forming drifts and crusts in various locations. It got down into the bottoms of the canyons and drainages and even stirred things up in there. It has showed signs of slowing from its max speeds. Temperatures remain fairly mild with overnight readings in the upper 20s. Riding conditions remain variable with some places being supportable for skis and machines and some places punchy.
Be sure to check out THIS BACKCOUNTRY OBSERVATION from our friend Chris Magerl where he describes what he's been seeing recently.
Mountain Weather: Wind will continue today although I'm not expecting it to be quite as strong as Sunday. Temperatures will be a bit warmer today with highs around 30 or a bit more. We'll see a few more clouds than on Sunday. A storm moves through on Tuesday which should produce 2 to 4 inches of snow. Temperatures cool off as the week progresses with quite cold weather anticipated by Saturday. Weather models indicate a period of wet weather ahead but being that they've been so fickle for the last few months I am not paying much attention to more than a few days ahead.
