The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above 9,000 feet and LOW below that elevation. At the upper elevations dense slabs could be human triggered in steep terrain that is prone to wind loading.
At the upper elevations dense wind slabs up to two feet in depth could be human triggered in steep terrain. These slabs were formed earlier in the week by west-southwest to west winds.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A weak disturbance passing by over the next 24 hours could bring periods of snow to the region . Accumulations will be less than four inches total and new snow is expected to be dense, as it has been recently. Periods of light rain are possible during the afternoon at lower elevations. Temperatures are to be similar to todays with summits staying below freezing but terrain at lower elevations reaching the mid to upper thirties depending on cloud cover following overnight freezing that will harden the snow surfaces. The general avalanche hazard below 9000 feet is expected to be LOW where a mostly stable snowpack lies. Above 9000 feet the hazard will MODERATE. Recently formed wind slabs to depths of eighteen inches could be found in very steep wind loaded terrain. In high north facing cliff areas, unsupported slabs of three or four feet lie upon old crusts. These slabs may not be listed as a current concern to the general advisory as they are in very isolated areas of extreme terrain that are seeing little to no traffic, and are likely to require a large trigger such as a cornice drop, which have not yet significantly developed this early in the season.
