Dense, persistent slabs exist on a variety of aspects. Skiers and riders cold trigger these slabs in steep, avalanche-prone terrain, and previous tracks are not necessarily an indicator of stability. If clear skies persist throughout the day, these slabs may become more susceptible to failure on sunlit aspects.
Recently developed, dense surface slabs with depths of one to two feet lie upon well-developed surface hoar. While these persistent slabs are gaining strength and becoming more difficult to trigger, a variety of aspects remain suspect. In isolated areas, these slabs have some potential to step down to deeper layers of buried surface hoar with depths to three feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Skies will be mostly clear overnight and inverted temperatures will develop. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low single digits as the valley drops to around ten below zero. Warm air advection aloft will increase mountain temperatures into the mid-20s during the day. Trapped air will keep the valley a bit cooler, and fog or low level clouds could develop. Northerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds will remain light at 5 to 15 miles per hour.Recently developed, dense surface slabs with depths of one to two feet lie upon well-developed surface hoar. While these persistent slabs are gaining strength and becoming more difficult to trigger, a variety of aspects remain suspect at the mid and upper elevations. Some potential may persist for backcountry travelers to trigger an isolated pocket of shallow slab at the lower elevations in terrain that was above the rain/snow line. If clear skies endure throughout the day, these slabs may become more susceptible to failure on sunlit aspects.
