Steamboat & Flat Tops

A potent spring storm will increase the avalanche danger across the Northern Mountains on Friday. You can trigger an avalanche where new snow forms cohesive slabs on steep slopes, like below ridges, in gullies, and behind convex rollovers. Cohesive slabs can be softer than you expect. Look out for cracking in the snow as you travel and use safe test slopes to tell you about how well the new snow is sticking to steep slopes. You can always find safer travel on low-angle slopes.

Snow starts on Thursday night, with the heaviest snow expected during the day Friday. Even though the winds are relatively light, they veer to the east, so you should look out for drifts in unusual places. Given the relatively light winds combined with cold temperatures, watch out for loose snow sluffs that can knock you off your feet in extreme terrain.