At elevations above 7500 feet, skiers and riders have the potential to trigger dense to hard slabs that lie upon persistent weak layers in very steep terrain . Avalanches at lower elevations are not expected today.
Slabs that were formed by earlier snow and winds lie upon weak interfaces of faceted snow over buried hard snow surfaces. These slabs could be released by the weight of a single person with depths to three feet. Thoughtful decision making is key as most terrain will show stability however these slabs still lurk in the mountains, particularly in very steep cliff areas.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Westerly flow is to slowly re-establish itself on Saturday although this transition will be slow as not much wind or moisture is associated with this change. On Saturday increasing clouds will bring a chance for periods of light snow while temperatures rise into the mid twenties and west winds have averages between five and fifteen miles per hour. Accumulations are to be very light. The general avalanche hazard will remain Moderate above 7500 feet where dense to hard slabs could be triggered in steep terrain with depths to three feet. These slabs are most likely to be found in cliff or rocky areas. Avalanches below 7500 feet are unlikely tomorrow.
