After many days of thawing temperatures have dropped back below the freezing mark and locked the upper snowpack together. Current surface conditions consist of 1-3" of snow on a firm crust at most locations. With cloud cover predicted to increase this afternoon and mountain temperatures predicted in the mid 30's it is unlikely you will see the surface of the snowpack loosen up enough to create any avalanche problems today.
Continue to pay attention to the sun as it will be the main driver of avalanche conditions this time of year. If the sun does poke out for a while you may see the surface of the snowpack loosen up and initiate small, wet-loose slides in steep terrain exposed to the sun.
Last avalanche forecast of the year for the Kootenai Zone!
It is with great pleasure that I end the year with a LOW avalanche danger rating. Conditions will be very firm out there on Friday as our previously wet and slushy conditions have refrozen and created a crust layer in the upper snowpack. The phrase "dust on crust" comes to mind right now as we recieved a light dust of snow Wednesday night. Today's weather conditions will be very similiar to yesterday with increasing clouds and a modest rise in temperatures through the day. With the current state of the snowpack it is unlikely that surface conditions will soften up enough to create much of an avalanche issue. On Saturday we are predicted to recieve another 3-5" of fresh snow so the riding conditions should improve this weekend if you are planning to get out. Another storm will roll in on Monday and coat the higher terrain, powder season isn't over quite yet!
Since today is the last forecast let's take a minute to talk about "spring avalanche conditions". Avalanche conditions in the spring are generally driven by sun and temperature. The risks in the mountains can change from safe to dangerous quickly as the sun comes out and the temperatures rise. This exposure to sun and warm air can create a host of issues including wet loose slides, cornice failure and glide cracks. Most of this risk can be mitigated by remaining attentive to the sun and the surface of the snowpack. To avoid serious health risks such as injury or death, you can simply use travel methods and terrain choices that get you out of harms way. If the snowpack is getting loose and slushy it is time to get out of steep terrain, stickong to mellower slopes and ridgelines for the safest travel routes. Cornice failures and glide crack avalanches are springtime problems that can be very hard to predict. These issues are in a battle of slowly declining strength and the pull of gravity. You never know when they are going to fail, but you can avoid being underneath of them. If it is warm out, avoid being under any large overhanging cornice or cracks in the snowpack.
It's been a long winter for me and I was often unable to get out due to injuries, I want to give a big shout out to all the folks who helped me provide avalanche information through the winter. Couln't have done it without the help from these fine folks. Nate Stephens, Grant Golden, Liz Figgins, Mike Manion and all of my fellow avalanche forecasters/educators on the Idaho side of the line.
