The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above an elevation of 7,500 feet and LOW below that elevation. Areas of unstable snow exist at the mid and upper elevations. Dense wind slabs up to three feet in depth could be triggered by the weight of a single person and are more likely to be triggered by larger loads such as snowmobiles. On steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet these slabs could step down to the ground. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and avoid suspect areas as human involvement with a large slab avalanche could be fatal.
Dense wind slabs up to three feet in depth could be human triggered. These slabs will be most sensitive to larger loads such as snow machines but could be triggered by the weight of a skier or snowboarder when a weak spot is impacted. These slabs are most likely to be found in exposed avalanche terrain where wind loading occurred during last weeks powerful storm.
On northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet weak faceted snow persists at the base of the snowpack. Dangerous hard slabs could be triggered on this weak layer and step down to the ground. These persistent deep slabs could be triggered by the weight of a single person however, they are more likely to fail under the weight of a larger trigger such as a snowmobile or due to the release of a wind slab that steps down to this weak layer. Previous tracks should not be interpreted as a sign of stability.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A cold northwest flow with limited moisture will bring areas of light snow to the mountains during the next 24 hours. Accumulations of a trace to a couple inches are possible. On Monday skies will be mostly cloudy with a chance for some light snowfall. Temperatures will remain below zero. Winds will back towards the west at 10 to 20 miles per hour. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the mid and upper elevations (7,500 to 10,500 feet) and be LOW below an elevation of 7,500 feet. Human triggered slab avalanches are possible in exposed avalanche terrain where wind loading occurred during the last storm. These slabs could be up to three feet in depth and could step down to the ground on steep northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Larger triggers such as snowmobiles are more likely to trigger one of these dangerous slabs and previous tracks should not be interpreted as a sign of stability.
