Pockets of dense wind slab up to two feet in depth exist at the upper elevations. These surface slabs lie upon hard snow surfaces and could be human triggered in steep terrain with fresh deposits of wind blown snow. New snow and strong west winds will create areas of drifting snow and increase the hazard at the mid and upper elevations in the afternoon. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.
Pockets of dense wind slab formed by southwest winds exist in steep avalanche starting zones and cliff areas above an elevation of 8,000 feet. These wind slabs are up to two feet in depth. New snow and wind will increase their size and volume and increase their sensitivity to human triggers as the day progresses.
A moist spring storm system will pass over the area. Moisture in the form of convective snow showers in the mountains and rain showers in the valleys will continue to impact the region. At the upper elevations six to nine inches of new snow accumulation is likely during the next 24 hours. Winds are forecast to be southwest to west at speeds of five to ten miles per hour overnight and veer to the northwest on Sunday and increase to speeds of 15 to 20 miles per hour. Temperatures at 10,500 feet will drop into the lower 20s overnight and rise into the upper 20s on Sunday. Temperatures in the valleys will drop into the upper 20s overnight and rise to near 40 on Sunday.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the higher elevations where pockets of soft slab up to two feet in depth lie upon hard old snow surfaces. These slabs could be triggered by skiers or riders in very steep avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. The general avalanche hazard at the lower elevations is anticipated to be LOW.
