19-20

<p>The mountain snowpack is generally stable with a mixed bag of riding conditions (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/wind-scoured-slopes-taylor-fork-2…;). The Bridger Range received 4” of snow equal to 0.4”<strong> <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/or/snow/?cid=nrcs142p2… water equivalent (SWE)</a></strong> on Monday with reports of rain up to 9600’ on Mount Blackmore. On a quick tour to Bridger Bowl Tuesday morning, I found dry snow on north-facing slopes, but things warmed up quickly as I left for the day. By Tuesday afternoon skiers reported wet loose snow avalanches in the Bridger Range (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/wet-loose-bridgers-2"><strong>Pho…;). With mountain temperatures forecast into the 40s F through Saturday, pay attention to warming at the snow surface. If snowballs are rolling downhill and you observe wet loose avalanches, find shadier areas to play or go fishing for the afternoon. Be wary of small avalanches that could push you into obstacles or hazardous terrain.</p>

<p>As winter temperatures and snowfall return on Sunday, look to see how the new snow is bonding. This week’s high pressure weakened the snowpack in some areas changing the foundation into weak facets (<a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/images/19/depth-hoar-south-fork-spanish-cre…;). If you are touring and break through to the ground, reach down and look for large, sugary snow crystals that will not stick together. These facets are generally stable without new snow. As the next snowstorm adds weight, watch for avalanche activity, cracking, or collapsing as signs that the snowpack is unstable.</p>

<p>If you have avalanche, snowpack, or weather observations to share, please submit them via our <a href="https://www.mtavalanche.com/node/add/snow_observation"><strong>website<…;, email (<a href="mailto:mtavalanche@gmail.com"><strong>mtavalanche@gmail.com</strong></a…;), phone (406-587-6984), or Instagram (#gnfacobs).</p>