Strong winds have created soft surface slabs. These wind slabs could be human triggered on steep avalanche prone slopes. In a few, steep avalanche paths above 9,000 feet, the chance may persist for skiers and riders to trigger hard slab avalanches failing on deep instabilities within the snowpack. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8,000 feet.
Southwest to west winds have created pockets of win slab up to 18 inches deep on leeward aspects. These slabs lie upon firm old snow surfaces and could triggered by humans with depths to 18 inches.
Weak layers of faceted snow are preserved in the snowpack. At the upper elevations, hard slab avalanches with depths to three feet could be triggered by snowmobilers on steep, avalanche-prone slopes.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A prolonged period of decent snowfall is expected to continue through Tuesday evening. Five to ten inches of lighter density snow may accumulate in favored areas during this period. Winds will be southwest to west at 20 to 40 with gusts to 55 miles per hour along the highest ridge crests. Temperatures will be in the teens and 20s in the mountains and in the upper teens to low 30s in the valleys. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE at the mid and upper elevations. Dense wind slabs one to three feet in depth could be easily triggered by humans in steep avalanche starting zones. Natural avalanches are possible. Expert terrain evaluation skills and conservative terrain choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. Avalanches are expected to be unlikely below an elevation of 7,500 feet where the hazard will be LOW.
