Strong southwest winds with gusts from 63 to 91 miles per hour along the highest ridge crests has eroded and redistributed available snow. The potential exists for humans to trigger dense slabs in steep terrain. At the lower elevations sustained temperatures above freezing and periods of rain have created areas of isothermal snow. Wet slides are possible on very steep slopes.
Skiers and riders could trigger dense surface slabs up to two feet in depth. These slabs lie upon crusts and buried layers of faceted snow that formed in January and are unstable on steep slopes where faceted snow is well preserved or lies upon those crusts. Warming temperatures during the day will increase the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Mild conditions will continue as winds decrease. Some clouds and snow showers are possible overnight as temperatures drop into the 20s in the mountains and to around freezing in the valleys. Skies will be partly cloudy on Sunday. Temperatures will warm into the 30s in the mountains and into the 40s in the valleys. Winds will be west to southwest at 15 to 25 miles per hour. At the mid and upper elevations the potential persist for skiers and riders to trigger dense surface slabs up to two feet in depth. These slabs lie upon crusts that formed in late January and are unstable on steep slopes where faceted snow lies upon those crusts. Warming temperatures during the day will increase the sensitivity of these slabs to human triggers. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE.
