New snow and strong southwest winds will combine to increase the hazard during the day. Dense surface slabs could be human triggered in steep avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. In areas with poor snowpack structure humans could trigger dangerous deep persistent slabs. At the lower elevations wet slides are possible on steep snow covered slopes that receive rain.
Very large hard slabs up to six feet in depth could be triggered on steep slopes where persistent layers of weak faceted snow exist within and/or near the base of the snowpack. These dangerous slabs could be triggered on slopes that have been crossed multiple times by other riders or skiers.
Dense surface slabs up to two feet in depth could be triggered by backcountry travelers who venture into steep avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. These slabs could step down and trigger dangerous persistent deep slabs in areas with poor snowpack structure.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Snowfall will develop overnight with a mix of snow and rain below an elevation of 7,500 feet and continue through the day before changing over to all snow on Monday evening. At the higher elevations accumulations of several inches are expected overnight with up to seven more inches possible during the day. Strong west to southwest winds with average speeds of 35 and gusts to 50 miles per hour will accompany this snowfall and create areas of blowing and drifting snow. Temperatures will be in the 20s and 30s in the mountains and in the 30s in the valley. In the mountains strong west winds will drift new snow onto leeward aspects and create new soft slabs that will increase in depth, volume and sensitivity to human triggers as the day progresses. At the lower elevations warm temperatures and rain will create unstable conditions on steep snow covered slopes. The new snow will increase the load on deep persistent hard slabs. The potential for humans to trigger a dangerous hard slab in areas with poor snowpack structure will be on the increase while this loading occurs. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be CONSIDERABLE.
