West to northwest winds have increased this morning with gusts into the upper-thirties and begun to load leeward slopes at the upper elevations. If triggered, these soft slab avalanches could entrain loose snow and increase in enough volume to bury a person. Even though it has become unlikely to trigger a deep slab avalanche, it is still a concern. To initiate failure on this persistent layer it will take a large load, like a snowmobile or a surface slab avalanche, or in areas with a thin snowpack. At the lower elevations, avalanches are unlikely.
West to northwest winds continue to load leeward slopes at the upper elevations. At the mid-elevations in steep avalanche terrain, surface slab avalanches may be found. These slabs could be 1 to 2 feet in depth and will be more easily triggered as the day warms.
Although unlikely, a slight chance still exists to trigger deep hard slabs involving weak snow near the base of the snowpack. If triggered these slabs could have crown depths of 3 to 7 feet. Larger triggers such as a cornice drop, a moving wind slab or a snowmachine hitting a thin spot on a slope may be required to trigger such an event. Involvement in one of these slides would likely be fatal.
As a ridge of high pressure builds over the region conditions are expected to be mostly dry with a slight chance of light snowfall. Partly cloudy skies will thicken and become mostly cloudy by the afternoon. Winds will be west to northwest at 10 to 30 miles with a period of increased winds speed predawn. Tomorrow's temperature will begin in the single digits and then rise into the 20s. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be moderate at the mid and upper elevations (7,500 to 10,500 feet). Over the past few days, skiers and riders have triggered wind slab avalanches in extreme terrain resulting in near-misses, where individuals were caught, carried, and partially buried. It is possible for humans to continue to trigger these slides 1 to 2 feet in depth, especially in steep, cliffy terrain. Deep persistent slab avalanches are still a concern. These dangerous slides could be 3 to 7 feet in depth and will most likely be triggered where the snowpack is thin or by a larger load, like a snow machine or surface slab. The general avalanche hazard below 7,500 feet is expected to be low.
