West Slopes North

If you head into the mountains on Monday, you can expect to find generally safe avalanche conditions throughout the zone. This doesn’t mean that avalanche danger is non-existent, so make your own observations and take note of how the weather and snowpack are changing throughout the day, possibly increasing the likelihood of avalanches.

Minimal precipitation Sunday night and Monday is forecast to be rain at low and mid-elevations, transitioning to snow as you reach the higher elevations. The snowpack in the West North should be well suited to receive the new precipitation regardless of its form, and you should find generally safe avalanche conditions. As we often like to remind you, low danger doesn’t mean no danger, and we have a few things for you to keep in mind. 

• Be mindful of the snow surface you're traveling on. If it’s firm, you may find minimal danger. If you find that it’s soft, due to either new snow or rain, the danger could be higher.
• Take note of what’s happening outside with the weather. If the snow is piling up more than expected or the winds are actively moving snow around, realize that the possibility of avalanches is increasing and you should dial back your terrain choices. 
• If you find rain falling on dry or new snow, steep slopes could possibly produce wet loose avalanches. You should head for low-angle slopes and be aware of the terrain above you in this situation.
• A small but widespread avalanche cycle occurred this past week on most aspects due to solar input and high freezing levels. During this cycle, glide cracks and small glide avalanches were reported in areas with thin snow coverage over smooth rock surfaces. With rain in the forecast, these glide slopes could destabilize and fail, so give them a wide berth as you travel.
• Regardless of how the day shakes out, any avalanche activity should occur within new snow or at the 11/30 interface. Although unlikely at this point, there could be some pockets of wind drifted snow from earlier this week sitting atop the 11/30 interface that you could trigger at higher elevations.

As we move into Tuesday, be prepared for some increased hazard as a good shot of precipitation impacts the area Monday night. While current snow coverage is well above average for December (Snow Depth Climatology), early season conditions still exist. Many lakes and creeks are still open, and plenty of hidden obstacles lurk just below the snow surface. Any substantial rain would only enhance these early season conditions, so be conservative with your travel choices and allow extra time to navigate these obstacles.

During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, continue to follow the latest guidance from local, state, and federal health officials. Avoid unnecessary risks that could impact first responders and stress medical resources.  Wear a mask when appropriate, practice social distancing, and consider recreating closer to home.