The general avalanche hazard is moderate above an elevation of 9,000 feet and low below that elevation. At the higher elevations it may be possible for skiers and riders to trigger pockets of wind slab on steep terrain features. Yesterdays high winds may have stripped snow from some areas and redistributed it lower down in avalanche starting zones and along the base of cliffs. Assess the landscape carefully and consider what the potential consequences could be if you trigger even a small slab avalanche.
Backcountry travelers may be able to trigger wind slab avalanches at the higher elevations and in isolated terrain features at the mid elevations. These slabs could be 6 to 18 inches deep, may be stiff, might not fail until you are out on them and could be hard to escape.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snow shower activity will decrease overnight with additional accumulations of a trace to an inch possible. On Tuesday skies will be partly cloudy with a chance of scattered snow showers. Daytime highs will rise into the teens at 10,500 feet and to near 30 degrees in the valleys. Winds will be from the northwest at 10 to 20 miles per hour with higher gusts.At the higher elevations some potential exists for human to trigger wind slab avalanches. The high winds may have cross loaded gullies, formed pockets of slab lower down in avalanche starting zones, and at the base of cliff areas. Assess the landscape carefully and consider what the potential consequences could be if you trigger even a small avalanche in severe terrain. These slabs may be stiff, not fail until you are out of them and hard to ski or ride away from. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be moderate above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Below the elevation the hazard is expected to be low.
