Above 7500 feet, unstable slabs lie upon faceted snow and hard crusts. These slabs have become slightly less sensitive and are not releasing remotely as they were two days ago. Even so, conditions remain VERY DANGEROUS. The persistent slab problem continues to exist and slabs can still release on any aspect with the weight of a single skier or rider. These slabs can be small, involving wind loaded features or very large, involving entire bowls. Analysis of both terrain and snowpack is essential today and making conservative decisions could save your life. Study the recent avalanche events and field observations posted on our website.
Large slab avalanches could be human triggered on a variety of aspects above an elevation of 7,500 feet. These slabs are up to four feet deep at the upper elevations and are one to two feet deep below an elevation of 8,000 feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A series of weak disturbances are to bring periods of light to moderate snowfall overnight and into Thursday morning. Lingering snow showers are expected through the day before a stronger pulse brings more significant snowfall late Thursday afternoon and night. Mountain temperatures tomorrow are to reach the mid-twenties and west winds are to be strong with thirty to forty mile per hour averages. The general avalanche hazard will be Considerable above 7500 feet and Moderate below. Existing slabs lie upon persistent weak layers on most aspects above 7000 feet. These slabs are typically two feet in depth but deeper slabs to as great as five feet are possible in areas of avalanche terrain where more snow fell or was transported by winds. These are dangerous conditions and require thoughtful route finding as well as careful snowpack and constant terrain analysis.
