Skies are mostly cloudy.
Winds are from the southwest, blowing 25-30mph with gusts to 35.* Mountain temperatures are in the mid to upper 30s. A weak going-through-the-motions "storm" will cast off a snowflake or two today. Winds should lose steam by the afternoon hours; temps will be in the 20s.
All eyes are on what I'm calling a Good News and Bad News Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday storm. The GOOD news: A slow moving Pacific storm will bring cooler temps and perhaps 8-12" of snow to the mountains. The BAD news: strong east to northeast winds follow for Wednesday night to Thursday night and we finally wriggle free of the grasp of this nuisance of a weather system by Friday. With this much wind (particularly from the east), it's probably not even worth the trouble.
(*In last Tuesday's forecast, I said One more day of wind, people. I did not mean for the rest of the season.).
Backcountry conditions: Travel is easy but snow conditions are a bit tired and worn. It's still possible to find some soft snow that's not sun or wind damaged, but you'll have to be sneaky. Still, coverage is excellent with 6-10' of snow on the ground in the mountains with 4-6' at the trailheads. Be aware that lower elevation snow may be punchy and unsupportable after a poor overnight refreeze.
Ski areas reported no avalanche activity, but a ski party reported triggering shallow pockets of wind drifted snow well off the ridgeline along the Cutler Ridge at 7200' and 7500'. These were but 4" deep but 30' wide.
