Northerly winds could knock you over yesterday morning above treeline in Avalanche Gulch, though in the afternoon the mountain calmed down. Temperatures reached 46 ºF. Snow depth at the Old Ski Bowl is 52 inches.
The 2-3 inches of new snow from Saturday has gone through a couple of melt-freeze cycles and has settled into the old snowpack. Snow surfaces are soft and smooth to at least near treeline elevations. Any remaining low density snow up high has blown away. Best sliding, riding, and climbing will be in gullies. Moraines and ridges are devoid of snow until 10,000 ft.
For climbers, rockfall has been observed in Avalanche Gulch. Wear a helmet and start early if making a summit attempt.
You can find continuous snow out of Bunny Flat, though you may have to hunt and peck a bit to avoid dirt. Sticking to climber's right, hugging the bottom of green butte ridge is your best bet.
Sand Flat trails still have usable snow for cross country skiing and snow shoeing.
The Tri-Forest Snowmobile Trails are melted out enough to make the riding hard on the body and machines and is not recommended. Grooming operations have ceased.
High pressure will dominate through the end of the week bringing quiet weather and melt-freeze cycles, though nighttime lows may not even get to freezing. Record high temperatures are expected.
You'll see high level scattered clouds this morning, which will clear this afternoon. Northeast winds will be light to moderate. Daytime highs near treeline will break 50 ºF. Yuck! Tonight the mountain will be downright calm.
A change of weather pattern may occur early next week, but models are about 50/50 in terms of drier vs. wetter conditions at this point.
