Strong winds and new snow will rapidly load steep slopes and create very dangerous avalanche conditions. At the upper elevations, large to very large avalanches are likely to release naturally and human triggered slides are very likely. At the mid and lower elevations, it is likely for humans to triggered slab avalanches. The 3-day storm totals are up to 4 feet with about 3.5 inches of moisture. These dangerous avalanches could run long distances into the lower elevation terrain. The potential still exists for slab avalanches to step down into old layers of weak snow. These destructive slides would be very large with depths of 4 to 8 feet. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended during periods of high hazard.
Heavy snowfall and strong winds continue to rapidly load steep slopes. These wind slab avalanches could have depths of 3 to 5 feet on a variety of aspects at the mid and upper elevations. At the lower elevations, wind slab have formed up to 2 feet in depth and there is potential for very large slides to come from above.
After some lingering, scattered flurries overnight, mostly sunny skies are in store for Sunday as a transitory ridge of high pressure builds over the region. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near zero before rising into the mid-teens in the afternoon. Ridgetop winds will veer to the north at 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable above 7,500 feet on Sunday. In steep, wind loaded avalanche terrain, skiers and riders could easily trigger wind slabs with depths ranging from two to five feet. These slabs might still be able to release naturally. Below 7,500 feet, the general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate. There, backcountry travelers could trigger similar wind slabs with depths up to two feet. Some potential may remain for these slabs to step down to persistent weak layers of faceted snow near the base of the snowpack. These very large, destructive avalanches are more likely to occur in the Southwest Trails and Togwotee Pass forecast zones where the snowpack is on the shallower end of the spectrum. In these two areas, backcountry travelers might still be able to trigger these persistent deep slabs directly. Don’t let blue skies and powder impair your judgement; great skiing and riding can easily be found in low consequence terrain. If you choose to travel in avalanche terrain, expert snowpack and terrain evaluation skills will be required.
