Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Skyline Area Mountains Issued by Brett Kobernik for Saturday - April 1, 2017 - 6:45am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is generally LOW this morning. The danger may increase slightly during the day as the new snow gets heated up for the first time.




current conditions

A few more inches of snow trickled in late Friday afternoon and Friday night. However, due to settlement, total storm depths didn't increase a whole lot. This morning you'll find about 5 inches new snow above the old snow surface from Thursday. It'll be dense but should provide great riding conditions. Keep in mind that it will become warm and wet quickly as it always does in the spring when the sun pokes out.

Wind has been from the northeast in the moderate speed range along the higher elevations and seems to be slowing at most stations. Temperatures were in the mid 20s to around 30˚F along the ridges overnight.
Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Things are fairly safe out there unless you're really pushing it into the more radical steep terrain. The main concern today will be how the new snow responds to the sun and daytime heating. It doesn't look like an overly warm day so I'm not anticipating much wet avalanche activity.

Things to keep in mind during the spring:

  • New snow is often the most unstable when it gets heated up for the first time after a storm
  • The snow is generally more stable in the morning before it gets heated up
  • East facing slopes heat up first from direct sun in the morning. As the sun swings around during the day, south facing slopes heat up next then west facing later in the day.
  • Pinwheeling and rollerballing on the new snow surface are indicators that the snow is getting closer to becoming unstable.
weather

The storm is clearing out and we should see some sun in the mountains today. Ridgetop temperatures will get into the mid 30s. Wind will be northerly in the light to moderate speed category. We'll have partly cloudy skies on Sunday with slightly similar temperatures. Another storm will move through on Monday. As of now I would say it looks like about a 2 to 5" snow event.
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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