Strong winds and new snow will rapidly load steep slopes and create dangerous avalanche conditions. Large to very large avalanches could release naturally and are likely to be human triggered. The 3-day storm totals are over 2 feet with about 2 inches of moisture. These dangerous avalanches could run long distances. The potential still exists for slab avalanches to step down into old layers of weak snow. Careful route-finding and conservative decision-making is essential to travel in avalanche terrain today.
Heavy snowfall and strong winds continue to load steep slopes. These wind slab avalanches could have depths of 2 to 4 feet on a variety of aspects and will favor the upper elevation start zones.
Today's strong winds and new snow are increasing the load on buried weak layers of faceted snow. This loading will be increasing the likelihood for large to very large deep slab avalanches to be human triggered or release naturally on these persistent weak layers. If triggered, these dangerous deep slabs could be 3 to 6 feet deep and have the potential to run long distances.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Tonight and into tomorrow, a fast-moving system will approach from the west. Light to moderate snowfall will continue with 6 to 12 inches in the mountains and 2 to 4 in the valleys. More importantly, this system will be accompanied by strong southwest winds. These winds are forecasted to be 30 to 60 miles per hour and valleys could see gusts in the 20s. Mountain temperatures will be in the teens to 20s and valleys will climb into the 30s.Strong winds tomorrow morning will create areas of blowing snow. This drifting will rapidly load steep slopes and prolong the very dangerous avalanche hazard. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be high. Large to very large slab avalanches are likely to release naturally and be easily triggered by humans. These dangerous slab avalanches could have depths of 3 to 5 feet and may run long distances into 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. Tomorrow, travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended.
