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Forecast for the Skyline Area Mountains

Brett Kobernik
Issued by Brett Kobernik on
Thursday morning, March 23, 2017

The avalanche danger is MODERATE today for human triggered new snow avalanches. The most likely spot to trigger an avalanche would be above 9500 feet along the more east facing ridges. Watch for pockets of drifted snow on any slope in the higher terrain today.

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Weather and Snow

Conditions have finally changed after the long stretch of no snow and warm temperatures. We have a storm moving through and we've picked up 6" of snow so far. Temperatures dipped below 30 degrees in the higher elevations for the first time in over a week. Wind is from the west in the moderate speed range.

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Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

If you're getting into the mountains today you'll want to pay attention to the new snow. My guess is that it will fairly well behaved. Just make sure to be looking for any obvious clues like cracking within the new snow. Use small steep test slopes to check how the new snow is behaving.

Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

The wind is supposed to increase during the day today. The wind always creates more dangerous avalanche conditions by drifting snow. As the snow is drifting and directly afterward is when it is the most sensitive and the most likely to release as a slab avalanche. If you are noticing drifting snow, be very careful of the slopes where it is getting deposited. These slopes will be mostly on the upper elevation north through southeast facing higher elevation terrain.

Additional Information

We'll see snow today then the storm will move out Friday morning. Another 4 to 6 inches of snow seems reasonable to expect. The wind will veer more northwest and increase in speed this afternoon. Friday we'll see clearing with ridgetop high temperatures rebounding up to around 40. Another storm will move through Saturday. The extended forecast looks active with a number of storms moving through next week.

General Announcements

We will publish full detailed advisories Saturday and Sunday mornings by 7am. We will also be publishing basic avalanche danger ratings & info during the week.

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