But that s not to say that we won t get at least some significant dumps from here on out. As for our existing snow pack because of the lack of weather, even though the process has been slow, recent snow pit investigations in the Selkirk Mountains near Schweitzer and the Bitterroot Mountains near Lookout Pass in the St. Regis Basin show that the snow pack is starting to show signs of settling as compared to what it was during the last month. The major concern, of course, is the persistence of faceted layers still within the snow pack on all aspects. Even though shear tests show that these layers are starting to show signs of strengthening, there is a good chance where the snow pack could be in a very fragile state in isolated areas where these layers have not bonded well. I would venture to say that these areas would be found in the colder north and northeast facing slopes above timberline, or above 5500 feet where unstable slab layers are probable on the steep and open terrain.
Natural avalanches are unlikely, while human triggered avalanches are possible.
Backcountry travelers should use caution in steeper terrain of 35 degrees plus on these aspects. On the south facing slopes above 5500 feet, the surface has hardened to a degree that it has formed a pretty firm crust so if we do get a considerable amount of snow this weekend, there could be potential hazards on the south facing slopes. Below timberline the snow is generally stable where there is good anchoring in the trees, with only isolated pockets of instability in the steeper and open slopes. The strong upper level trough that wreaked havoc over California will move inland and will probably affect the southern portion of the state and will miss the northern half. The mountains near Silverwood Ski Area could see some significant precipitation out of this.