The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above 7,500 feet. There, backcountry travelers could trigger newly developed surface slabs on a variety of aspects. As the day warms, any extended periods of sunshine will increase the likelihood of triggering these slides on sunlit aspects.
Around a foot of new snow has been driven by moderate to strong southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds forming new surface slabs in leeward terrain. These slabs, with depths of twelve to eighteen inches, lie upon slick sliding surfaces and could be easily triggered by skiers and riders in steep avalanche terrain above 7,500 feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snowfall intensity will decrease overnight along with cloud cover during the day on Wednesday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid-teens before rising into the low to mid 20s in the afternoon. Westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 25 to 35 miles per hour overnight before decreasing to 10 to 20 during the day.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE on Wednesday. At the higher elevations, backcountry travelers could trigger pockets of shallow slab six to eighteen inches in depth. These slabs lie upon slick sliding surfaces that developed through an extended dry period and numerous melt/freeze cycles.
