There is a MODERATE danger on steep northwest to north to east-facing aspects at the mid and upper elevations where it is possible to trigger an avalanche 12-16" deep failing on a buried persistent weak layer of faceted snow.
There is a MODERATE danger on all aspects at the upper elevations and on mid elevation aspects facing west through north and east. This involves fast and long-running sluffs in the new snow as well as isolated pockets of fresh wind drifts at the upper elevations. Wet-loose avalanches are possible if the slope you are on has any extended period of direct sunshine.
There is a LOW avalanche danger on all low-elevation slopes and mid-elevation southerly aspects.
The Saturday/Sunday storm did not seem to be enough of a load to stress the Jan/Feb drought persistent weak layer (PWL), but there remains the possibility of triggering an avalanche 12-16" deep that fails on this layer of faceted snow in localized terrain at the mid and upper elevations on slopes facing northwest through north and east.
Any instabilities from the 8-10" of snow from Saturday/Sunday have largely settled out, but fast and long-running sluffs will still be possible today, especially on steeper northerly slopes. (Photo below)
Two other considerations with the storm snow are:
(1) Although winds are forecasted to be light to moderate, you may find isolated pockets of sensitive fresh wind drifted snow at the upper elevations.
(2) Partly-cloudy skies, slight winds and cold temperatures should keep the snow surface cold today, but wet-loose avalanches are possible on east/south/west aspects if we get any extended period of direct sunshine.
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Only dry, loose sluffs were reported from Sunday.
Currently: Temperatures are in the upper single digits and low teens and winds are from the west/northwest and light - averaging less than 10 mph with gusts in the teens at mid-elevations. Wind speeds along the highest ridges are a bit stronger: averaging in the teens with gusts in the 20's mph.
Today: Partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the teens. Winds will be from the north/northwest and moderate, averaging in the low teens with gusts near 20 mph along exposed mid-elevation ridges. Along the upper-most ridges, winds will average in the upper teens with gusts near 30 mph.
Enjoy today's brief period of ridging as a trough is forecasted to arrive midweek bringing snow and colder temperatures.
Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.
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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.
