Large slab avalanches could be triggered by humans on steep avalanche prone slopes. These slabs could involve the recent new snow or step down to deeper layers of faceted snow. The consequences of getting caught in one of these dangerous slab avalanches are likely to be severe. Conservative terrain choices and excellent route finding skills are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
Slab avalanches involving the recent new snow could be triggered by humans on a variety of aspects at the higher elevations. These slabs could be up to two feet deep at the higher elevations and up to 12 inches deep below an elevation of 7,500 feet.
Buried layers of faceted snow exist in the snowpack. Large persistent slab avalanches could fail on these layers with depths to 4 feet at the higher elevations and 2 feet below an elevation of 7,500 feet. These dangerous slabs could be triggered by the weight of a person or the release of a surface slab.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )This evening will be dry with clear skies. These conditions will allow temperatures to drop to 15 to 30 below zero in the coldest valley locations. Skies will be mostly sunny on Friday with areas of patchy morning fog. Temperatures will be inverted with daytime highs rising into the teens. Winds will back to the southwest at 15 to 20 miles per hour with higher gusts. Large slab avalanches could be triggered by the weight of a single person on a variety of aspects and elevations. These slabs could fail within the recent storm snow or step down to weak layers of faceted snow. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be considerable. Conservative terrain choices and excellent route finding skills are essential foe safe travel in avalanche terrain.
