Yesterday morning a snowboarder triggered an avalanche in a steep cliff area known as Breakneck and was buried with his head under three feet of avalanche debris. Fortunately he was quickly uncovered and sustained only minor injuries. Similar events are possible today. Skiers, riders and snowmobilers who venture into steep avalanche terrain could trigger dense surface slabs and in isolated areas, very destructive deep hard slabs. These slabs could be triggered during the morning hours and will become more sensitive to human triggers as temperatures increase. Some potential for wet slides to occur on steep slopes at the lower elevations may develop, especially in ares that receive sustained rainfall.
Dense winds slabs up to two feet in depth could be triggered by humans in steep avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. these surface slabs could trigger deep hard slabs and will become increasingly sensitive to human triggers as the day progresses.
Dangerous hard slab avalanches with depths to eight feet could be human triggered in isolated areas where weak faceted snow persist near the base of the snowpack. These killer slabs could be triggered on slopes that have been previously crossed multiple times.
At the lower elevations wet slides are possible on steep snow covered slopes after snow surfaces soften. Rain would increase the likelihood for wet slides to occur.
Snowfall will develop overnight with a mix of snow and rain below an elevation of 7,500 feet and continue through the day before changing over to all snow on Monday evening. At the higher elevations accumulations of several inches are expected overnight with up to seven more inches possible during the day. Strong west to southwest winds with average speeds of 35 and gusts to 50 miles per hour will accompany this snowfall and create areas of blowing and drifting snow. Temperatures will be in the 20s and 30s in the mountains and in the 30s in the valley. In the mountains strong west winds will drift new snow onto leeward aspects and create new soft slabs that will increase in depth, volume and sensitivity to human triggers as the day progresses. At the lower elevations warm temperatures and rain will create unstable conditions on steep snow covered slopes. The new snow will increase the load on deep persistent hard slabs. The potential for humans to trigger a dangerous hard slab in areas with poor snowpack structure will be on the increase while this loading occurs. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE.
