Avalanche conditions remain dangerous. At the mid and high elevations, the snowpack is underlain by persistent weak snow layers that were covered in late November. Skiers or riders venturing into avalanche terrain could trigger large avalanches. These slides could occur even after a slope has been tracked and some potential remains for failure to occur remotely, as a group approaches terrain from above or below a slope. To determine slope stability, it is crucial to understand if slopes are underlain by the weak basal layers. This can be done quickly by digging to the ground. Be careful to not trust improving snow test scores in terrain where the weak snow is present. Avalanches at lower elevations are not likely today.
Dangerous slab avalanches 2 to 4 feet in depth can be easily triggered at the mid and upper elevations by the weight of a single person. These slabs lie over weak basal facets and are most likely to be found on west to north to east facing slopes from 8000-9000 feet and all aspects at higher elevations.
A strengthening westerly flow will bring a period of intermittent light snowfall to areas of north of Salt River Pass overnight. Local accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are possible in the mountains by morning. Skies will slowly clear on Friday. Temperatures will rise into the mid to upper 20’s in the mountains and into the mid-30’s in the valleys. Winds will back to the south at 15 to 25 miles per hour.Conditions are still dangerous at the mid and upper elevations. Large persistent slab avalanches, 2 to 4 feet in depth, can be triggered by the weight of a person on steep slopes. In these conditions previous tracks on a suspect slope should not be interpreted to be an indication of stability. In these areas the general avalanche hazard is considerable. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8,000 feet and in areas above that elevation where a weak layer of faceted snow does not exist near the base of the snowpack. In these areas the general avalanche hazard is low.
