Mountain temperatures are starting out cooler than yesterday morning, and the threat of wet slides will be significantly reduced. Above 8,500 feet, skiers and riders could trigger small to large wind slabs in steep, avalanche prone terrain where precipitation mainly occurred in the form of snow. As the day warms and mountain snow/valley rain continues, the likelihood of triggering these slabs will increase, and the chance for shallow wet slides could develop below 9,000 feet. Continue to be wary of terrain where the winter snowpack is transitioning to springtime conditions.
Above 8,500 feet, backcountry travelers could trigger wind slabs 6 to 18 inches deep in steep, wind-loaded terrain. Continued precipitation and warming temperatures will increase the likelihood of triggering these slabs as the day progresses.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )West-southwesterly flow aloft and an upper level low pressure system moving inland from the Pacific Northwest will bring colder, unstable Pacific moisture to the region through Sunday. The rain line will drop to near the valley floor overnight before climbing during the day, and six to twelve inches of new snow could accumulate in the mountains by Sunday evening. Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will increase to 25 to 40 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable in the higher elevations on Saturday. As temperatures cool, rain changes over to snow and winds increase, the primary threat of avalanche activity will transition from wet slides back to dry slab avalanches in the mountains. The chance for skiers and riders to trigger newly developed winds slabs up to two feet in depth will be on the increase through the day at the higher elevations. In terrain where a substantial snowpack remains at the lower elevations, the threat of shallow wet slides will continue.
