The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above an elevation of 7,000 feet and LOW below that elevation. This lowering of the hazard from Considerable yesterday only indicates that avalanches will be slightly harder to initiate and therefore even more difficult to predict. Slopes may still fail to a single rider or skier even after a slope is tracked. Surface slab depths could reach four feet and on north facing slopes full depth slides with depths to five feet could occur. Human involvement in any avalanche activity could result in serious injury or death.
Dense to hard surface slabs up to four feet in depth lie upon slick old snow surfaces and faceted snow. These dangerous slabs could be triggered snowmobiles or by individual skiers or riders. These slabs are most likely to be found in steep open avalanche terrain that received wind loading during the storm that occurred early in the week.
Above 9000 feet in steep northerly aspects, weak snow persists at the base of the snowpack. In this terrain very dangerous hard slabs could be triggered following the release of a wind slab avalanche and some chance remains for failure by the weight of a single person. These dangerous slabs could have total crown depths to five feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Increased moisture in cold flow could produce periods of light snowfall overnight and Saturday. Temperatures on Saturday should raise into the positive single digits during the afternoon.The general avalanche hazard is Moderate. This decreasing in the rating DOES NOT indicate a significant change in stability. Slabs have gained strength making them slightly harder to trigger and significantly harder to predict. Backcountry travelers still have the potential to trigger hard slabs to four feet in depth in wind loaded avalanche terrain above 7500 feet. On North facing slopes above 9000 feet these slabs could step down to weak snow at the base of the snowpack to total depths of five feet.
