The mountains across the Kootenai National Forest received multiple shots of snow above 5,500 feet the past few days. This new snow arrived with fairly high winds and warm temperatures that created a very cohesive slab layer above 5,500 feet on wind loaded aspects. In some locations this slab is overlying a layer of buried surface hoar making it highly reactive. This surface hoar layer is most likely to be found in areas above 5,500 feet that are sheltered from solar radiation and wind.  Regardless of where you may or may not find this buried surface hoar the wind slab is still likely to be reactive to a human or weather related trigger.

Exercise a high degree of caution through the weekend on any steep, wind loaded slopes above 5,500 feet in elevation.  Use small slopes as tests and dig a pit before riding or sliding in this kind of terrain.

I am including this problem as a blanket of sorts due to the time of year and the consistenly warm temperatures the region has been experiencing these past few weeks.  Slopes on elevations below 5,500' are likely to continue releasing small wet slides during warm day time temperatures and on slopes exposed to solar radiation.  These small wet slides are unlikely to pose much of a threat to skiers and snowmobilers but they should not be ignored in areas where terrain features such as gullies could increase the consequences of being caught in such a slide.

Pay attention to warming temperatures and intense sunshine when exposed to terrain traps or below large slopes and cornices.  There is some potential for slopes to see the sun on Friday if the predicted weather holds true.