The weekend storm has left the area after depositing up to two feet of dense new snow. Strong west winds during the storm have created wind slabs on leeward aspects and greatly increased the load on persistent weak layers buried deeply in the snowpack. Large to very large surface slabs and deep persistent slabs are likely to be triggered in avalanche terrain by the weight of a person. Conservative terrain choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain today.
Dense wind slabs one to three feet in depth could be triggered by the weight of a single person. Once triggered these slabs could step down to buried weak layers.
Large to very large persistent slabs with depths of two to five feet could be triggered by humans or by the release of surface slabs. These slabs will fail on buried weak layers of faceted snow and could step down to the ground.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Light snow fall is expected to continue overnight with additional accumulations of 1 to 3 inches likely at the higher elevations. On Monday skies will be mostly cloudy with a decent chance for periods of light snowfall or flurries. Temperatures in the mountains will be in the teens and 20s. Winds will be west at 10 to 20 miles per hour.The avalanche warning issued by the avalanche center this morning has been terminated. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE on Monday. The snowpack is still adjusting to the large load that it has received during this storm cycle. Areas of unstable snow exist and large human triggered avalanches remain likely on steep avalanche prone slopes. Cautious route finding and conservative terrain choices are warranted.
