Forecast for the Skyline Area Mountains

Brett Kobernik
Issued by Brett Kobernik for
Sunday, March 27, 2022
A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists on steep slopes above 9500' that face west, north and east.
Human triggered avalanches breaking 3 feet deep in these locations are likely.
Warm temperatures could cause natural avalanches to break into the buried weak snow from Jan/Feb.
The danger for heat initiated natural avalanches will increase as the day goes on. East facing slopes will become unstable first. Later in the day west facing slopes may become dangerous also.
Avoid avalanche paths, Avoid runout zones.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
Current Conditions
It was another scorcher up in the mountains on Saturday with high temperatures well into the 50s. Temperatures stayed very warm overnight also with lows only down into the low 40s. Southwest wind has been light to moderate in speed.
Mountain Weather
The heat is on again today with highs into the mid 50s. We'll see some clouds moving through but it looks like sun as well. Wind will remain light to moderate in speed from the southwest. Temperatures start to cool a bit on Monday as clouds move in ahead of the next storm system.
Recent Avalanches
There was a very close call on Saturday where a snowmobiler triggered a massive avalanche and was caught and carried. Miraculously he was not buried or seriously injured. This was in Seeley Canyon on a upper elevation (10,400') northeast facing slope. The avalanche broke at least 3 feet deep failing on weak sugary snow that formed in January and February. This layer has caused avalanches for a month straight now.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Human triggered avalanches are still likely on steep upper elevation northwest, north and northeast facing slopes. They continue to break into a Persistent Weak Layer of faceted snow that is buried about 3 feet deep. To make matters worse, the very warm temperatures we are experiencing may cause natural avalanches to break into this Persistent Weak Layer also. Usually we have stable conditions at this time of the season and we can get onto most any steep slope we want to. This is not the case right now. Conditions remain dangerous.
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.