Hello and good morning, this is Toby Weed of the
Current Conditions:
We should see cloud-cover and cooler
temperatures today, which should slow down the melting. There’s still a bit of nice spring
powdery snow on upper elevation north facing slopes in the backcountry, but
heating from the intense high-angle spring sun in the last few days melted the
fresh surface snow down into slush and there are now surface crusts on most
other slopes. Even though you
can ride anywhere these days, you should be sure to keep motor vehicles in
terrain that’s open. Riding on
public lands designated as “closed to motor vehicles” or as a National Forest
Wilderness only jeopardizes the future of our sport, and fines for MV trespass
have been recently increased. (MV wilderness trespass photos)
. It is currently 18 degrees at the CSI
weather station at 9400’ on Logan Peak with a gradually diminishing wind from
the northwest now averaging in the mid teens.
Avalanche Conditions:
It
was active on Thursday, with several triggered slab and loose wet avalanches
reported in the backcountry of
Freshly formed and isolated lingering wind slabs
exist in exposed terrain and along the highest ridge-lines. Triggered wind slab avalanches continue
to be possible on very steep upper elevation slopes with significant deposits of
drifted snow. Drifts should be
fairly obvious, and you should avoid them on steep slopes.
The huge cornices in the region now present an
obvious danger, especially when it’s windy or warm. Large cornices may well still be
sensitive to your weight today and may break further back than you expect. It is always a good idea in the
spring to stay out from under these monsters,
Bottom
Line:
There’s a LOW danger on most
slopes steeper than about 35 degrees in the backcountry, and avalanches are
generally unlikely. The exceptions
and pockets with a MODERATE danger can
be found on very steep and exposed upper elevation slopes where freshly formed
and lingering wind slabs exist along with some huge overhanging cornices. Wet avalanches may become possible on
some steep slopes this weekend as warmth from intense spring sunshine turns the
crusty surface snow into slush.
Mountain
Weather: Should be
mostly cloudy today with a chance for a little snowfall. The next cold front will move through
the region tomorrow night and bring a better chance for a few inches of snowfall
through Monday. Expect an active
spring weather pattern in the next five days with temperatures staying 5 to 10
degrees cooler than normal.
Check out the
images
page for photos of some of
this season’s avalanches.
Go to the
Avalanche
Encyclopedia
if you have any
questions about terms I use in the advisory.
I'm very interested to
know what you're seeing out there. Please e-mail observations to me
at [email protected] or leave me a message
at 755-3638, especially if you see or trigger an avalanche in the backcountry.
We keep all observations confidential.
This advisory will expire in 24
hours from the posting time.
The information in
this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for
its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and
local variations always occur.