Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Heavy snow and very strong southwest winds have formed additional wind slabs and further loaded avalanche paths with deep persistent instabilities in the snowpack. Either of these types of avalanches could be triggered by the weight of a single person or release naturally as they are further loaded by continued snowfall and wind throughout the day. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Wind slabs formed by very strong southwest winds could be human triggered in steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones. These sensitive slabs could have depths to three feet at the upper elevations and one foot at the lower elevations. They will increase in size and sensitivity as the day progresses.
Deep, hard slabs that lie over weak faceted snow and crusts near the base of the snowpack are being further loaded by this winter storm. These instabilities lie on west, north, and east aspects at the upper elevations. If initiated, the slides are likely to be very large with depths to six feet. Surviving such a large event is unlikely.
A winter storm warning continues through 5pm Friday. Snow, heavy at times will continue through Friday. Temperatures are to remain on the warm side until cold air begins to move into the area in the late afternoon or evening. The cold temperatures are expected to result in a period of lighter snow as the storm moves east. Strong southwest winds with averages over twenty five miles per hour are to continue to blow on summits before becoming westerly and then northwesterly as the storm exists. The general avalanche hazard will be HIGH on Friday. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. Large and dangerous avalanches could release naturally or from the presence of a single person. These events could involve wind slabs formed by this storm with depths to four feet by the afternoon on all aspects. Larger slides running on the deeply buried persistent weak layer near the base of the snowpack are also possible. These extremely dangerous slabs could have depth to six or more feet.
