The National Weather Service Forecasts-

TODAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY IN THE MORNING THEN BECOMING MOSTLY SUNNY. PATCHY FOG AND ISOLATED SNOW SHOWERS IN THE MORNING. HIGHS AROUND 37. LIGHT WINDS BECOMING NORTHWEST 10 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

TONIGHT...INCREASING CLOUDS. LOWS 22 TO 28. NORTHEAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH.

TUESDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY. CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS AROUND 35. EAST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

We have seen quite a bit of new snow over the last week. With 2-5' in our mountian starting zones depending on elevation and windloading in places.

The winds blew strong during this system from the SSE up to and above 60knots.

Widespread weak layers were found present in the snowpack during this event. We had quite a bit of natural avalanche activity... Manmade avalanches were also quite easy to trigger during this event.

Several of these avalanches were quite large in size.

Things have calmed down in the last few days. Winds have calmed. Precip rates have fallen quite a bit and temperatures have been very close to freezing which often helps in the bonding process creating increased stability.

Yesterday temps went right to 0 at the Eaglecrest Summit from 11am-4pm. On the Mt Roberts Tram Summit they warmed to +2c during that same time.

This allowed for rapid settlement and consolidation in the snowpack. Eaglecrest UAS Site showed a drop of a few inches due to this settlement. The Mt Roberts Tram site dropped nearly 6\" yesterday.

This melt freeze activity and settlement helps make for a much stronger snowpack.

The lower weak layers we saw in the snowpack earlier last week have started to stabilize yet remain present. Yesterday skier triggered avalanches were not common yet were still possible in places.

Cornices remain weak. Lots of snow is easily sluffed off of the steep slopes.

Today the forecast calls for SUN in the afternoon. This will add stress to the snowpack. Look to see point release avalanches in areas where the sun has effect. Snow will be falling off of trees and rocks. In the steep open areas this will have the ability to trigger these point release avalanches. With lots of loose snow available for entrainment these avalanches could become quite large in places.

Avalanche danger is Low this am but will transition to Moderate in the afternoon with the sun's affect on the snowpack.

Natural avalanches are unlikely in the AM. as the day warms and the sun takes effect look to see these point release avalanches around the region.

Avalanche are not likely to reach developed areas.

Human triggered avalanches may still be possible in isolated locations yet are not widespread. On steeper longers slopes these can still become a concern.

Remember to use good travel practices and ride with partners carrying transceivers, probes, and shovels. Ride one at a time with spotters in safe locations.

Use caution and enjoy the sun. Have a great day!

Here is a great link to a short clip showing the affect of the sun and melt freeze snow that we will see more of now that spring is here...

http://www.fsavalanche.org/Encyclopedia.aspx