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Forecast for the Skyline Area Mountains

Brett Kobernik
Issued by Brett Kobernik on
Monday morning, January 5, 2026

A storm moving through this morning won't change the avalanche danger much. Overall, there is a LOW to MODERATE avalanche danger on the Skyline. The most likely place to trigger a small avalanche is in upper elevation steep slopes that face northwest through east. The most unstable areas are where wind has drifted snow and formed fresh slabs on top of snow which contains buried weak faceted snow near the ground. If you avoid areas where the wind has been drifting snow, you will stay safe today.

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
General Conditions: We have a small quick hitting storm moving through this morning. It quickly laid down three to five inches of new snow, fairly evenly distributed across the Skyline. Temperatures have been in the mid 20s. Wind is from the southwest. It's slightly breezy but I'd say it still fits into the moderate speed category.
Mountain Weather: The brunt of the storm is happening now or has just happened. Snowfall will become more sporadic as the day goes on. I'm not expecting much more accumulation. Temperatures will max out at about 30°F today. Wind will be from the southwest and slow as the day progresses. We have a break Tuesday and Wednesday then another chance for snow Thursday into Friday.
Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

There is not one distinct avalanche problem that is causing concern right now. The combination of two avalanche problems, wind drifted snow and a persistent weak layer, could pose a minor threat today. If you find a place that has a fresh drift or slab of new snow that has formed in an area which has weak faceted snow near the ground, you could possibly trigger an avalanche there today. You basically need both those factors. An area with a fresh drift and no buried facets probably isn't an issue. An area with weak buried facets with no wind slab on top of it probably isn't an issue.

Here's some more details on what we're finding out in the backcountry. Chris Magerl was prowling around Blind Fork in Fairview Canyon on Sunday and submitted a snow observation. DETAILS HERE

I was in Lake Canyon from the Miller Flat trailhead on Saturday and compiled a snow observation. DETAILS HERE

Additional Information
General Announcements
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.
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