Schweitzer ski patrol is encouraging and offering weekly free "Transceiver Sundays" (clock tower at 10:00 a.m.) to all interested public with two permanent practice areas and one more difficult challenge that is on a less regular basis. All they ask is that the public covers up their tracks and if practicing digging techniques, please replace your divot. This is a great way to keep on your A game for those venturing out of bounds.
Rain and warm temperatures over Thanksgiving had a toll on the depth of our snowpack. The newer snow is fairly well bonded to the Thanksgiving crust, but small windloaded pockets were observed on all aspects. Surface hoar and near surface faceting was also observed. Looking ahead at the weather forecast, no new precipitation is expected for a while and daytime highs over the weekend could form sun crusts.
Rain and warm temperatures over Thanksgiving had a toll on the depth of our snowpack. The newer snow is fairly well bonded to the Thanksgiving crust, but small windloaded pockets were observed on all aspects. Surface hoar and near surface faceting was also observed. Looking ahead at the weather forecast, no new precipitation is expected for a while and daytime highs over the weekend could form sun crusts.
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Above Treeline
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Near Treeline
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Below Treeline
Recent storms have bonded well to the Thanksgiving Crust, but look for small pockets of windloading on lee aspects. Small windloaded pockets as well as surface hoar formation were observed on all aspects, and near surface faceting was observed on northern aspects. Pack depths at elevation are in the 20 to 30cm range on the south facing aspects and 40 to 60 cm on the north facing aspects.
In mountain areas, today will be sunny with a high near 40 and south wind around 7 mph. Tonight is mostly clear with low around 26 and southwest winds 5 to 7 mph. Saturday is sunny with highs of 44 and partly cloudy at night with a low of 29. Southwest wind around 6mph. Sunday mostly sunny with highs of 44 and overnight partly cloudy and lows around 30.
| 0600 temperature: | 31 deg. F. |
| Max. temperature in the last 24 hours: | 31 deg. F. |
| Average wind direction during the last 24 hours: | NW |
| Average wind speed during the last 24 hours: | 5 mph |
| Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours: | 6 mph |
| New snowfall in the last 24 hours: | 0.1 inches |
| Total snow depth: | 15 inches |
Avalanche conditions change for better or worse continually. Backcountry travelers should be prepared to assess current conditions for themselves, plan their routes of travel accordingly, and never travel alone. Backcountry travelers can reduce their exposure to avalanche hazards by utilizing timbered trails and ridge routes and by avoiding open and exposed terrain with slope angles of 30 degrees or more. Backcountry travelers should carry the necessary avalanche rescue equipment such as a shovel, avalanche probe or probe ski poles, a rescue beacon and a well-equipped first aid kit. For a recorded version of the Avalanche Advisory call (208)765-7323.
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