Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Skyline Area Mountains Issued by Brett Kobernik for Friday - January 24, 2014 - 7:32pm
bottom line

Most areas have a LOW avalanche danger and it is generally safe in the backcountry right now. A MODERATE avalanche danger exists in the upper elevation slopes approaching 40 degrees or steeper that face north through east. Human triggered slab avalanches are possible in this terrain.




current conditions

We've had very mild weather again for the last week with no significant storms. Daytime ridgetop temperatures have been around 30. The moderate speed east winds slowed and switched to the northwest. Wind crusts and sun crusts make up a good portion of the upper elevation surface conditions. Undisturbed loose snow can still be found in protected areas. The snowpack is very weak in many areas which is obvious when your track sinks through the entire pack during any little climb.

recent activity

There was one avalanche reported from over the last week. It was on Wedding Ring Ridge near Highway 31 above Miller Flat. (DETAILS on new avalanche)

This path also avalanched two weeks ago. (DETAILS on old avalanche)

This is the type of terrain that is obviously still suspect - steep, upper elevation east facing slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow.
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

As time goes on, the chance for triggering a slab avalanche that breaks into weak sugary snow decreases. It is not very likely that you will trigger an avalanche unless you are on very steep upper elevation slopes that face north through east. Areas that have been loaded by west wind should be avoided. Look for large 'pillows' of snow indicating these drifts.

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weather

We will see continued mild weather through the weekend with clear skies and ridgetop high temperatures in the upper 20s or low 30s. Winds will be fairly light from the northwest. Mild weather will continue into next week. It does look like we'll see some chances for snow as a number of weather disturbances move through starting at the end of next week. They don't look like huge storms at this point but might give us some much needed snow.
general announcements

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The information in this advisory is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

This advisory will be updated by 7:00 AM Saturday, February 1st, 2014.