A persistent weak layer remains the primary concern for the region.
Don't let your guard down, actively look for signs of instability, and choose conservative terrain.
Mixed precipitation and strong winds will build small new wind slabs at upper elevations. Be aware of changing conditions as you travel into wind affected terrain.
Triggering of this problem is moving into the low probability, high consequence realm especially in and around the Lizard Range. In the Flathead signs of instability are more frequent, with more recent avalanche activity.
No new avalanches were reported on Thursday, while reports of avalanche activity has tapered the snowpack structure remains a concern.
With incoming warm temperatures, mixed precipitation and strong winds human triggering remains possible.
Fluctuating freezing levels will bring mixed precipitation with 5 to 10 cm of snow above 2000 m by end of day Saturday.
Multiple weak layers of surface hoar and/or crust–facet combinations may be present within the upper meter of the snowpack. The most reactive layer, formed in late January, is buried 40–90 cm deep. Recent avalanches have primarily failed on this surface hoar layer, particularly in steep, sheltered terrain at treeline and below.
While this layer has shown reduced reactivity near the ski hill and in the Lizard Range, riders are still sporadically triggering it across the forecast area.
Friday Night
Cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Saturday
Cloudy. 2 to 4 mm of rain at treeline. 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 20 mm of rain at treeline. 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
