Previous Reports Go to the IPNF Visitor Center for a full listing of sections and topics on this website. This report does not apply to local ski areas within the forecast region and will remain in effect through Sunday, March25th. A strong high-pressure ridge dominated the region this week with warm temperatures affecting the snow pack even in the higher elevations during the daytime and then dropping down to below freezing during the evening hours. This is a sure sign that spring is here, which, by the way, officially started this week. This high pressure will persist into early Saturday when an upper level low-pressure system will start to move into the region with unsettled weather starting late Saturday and into Sunday with temperatures cooling down slightly from this week.
Rain is forecast in the valleys with snow in the higher elevations.
This is a good indication that the snow pack is starting to show signs that it is becoming isothermal, especially on the south-facing slopes. The north-facing slopes are still a little on the cold side where snow pit investigations reveal a colder snow pack than that of the south slopes. There is still some evidence of old surface hoar on the north slopes above timberline. This is pretty consistent throughout the entire panhandle region. You can expect some unstable layers on the north-facing slopes above timberline where natural avalanches are unlikely, while human triggered avalanches are possible.