The general avalnche hazard is Considerable today. Expected snowfall and southwest winds today will add weight to existing wind slabs that formed yesterday evening and earlier in the week when warm snowstorms deposited dense snow at the higher elevations. These surface slabs lie over a very weak snowpack comprised of faceted snow and crusts. By this afternoon, the size and likelihood of triggering these slides will increase and natural activity may become possible. Below 7500, the shallow snowpack has been further loaded by rain and wet snow and small wet slides are possible.
Dense surface slabs formed by west to southwest winds lie upon a persistent base layer of weak faceted snow. These slabs could have depths to two feet this morning and could have greater depths this afternoon as new snow falls. This hazard exists on a variety of aspects and conservative decision making is essential.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The current storm is to bring precipitation through the night although the bulk of the moisture is to occur before midnight. Temperature at 10000 feet are to drop into the upper teens by morning as the snowfall diminishes. On Thursday morning, skies could be partly clear before another system arrives by noon. This system is to bring more intense snowfall and very strong winds. Snow should continue into Friday morning. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable on Thursday. Dense heavy snow earlier in the week combined with new tonight and during the day on Thursday are all associated with strong wind events. Wind slabs that lie over a snowpack with weak faceted snow layers will grow in size as the next storm hits on Thursday. These slabs are expected to be very sensitive to skiers and riders on a variety of aspects particularly during the afternoon when heavy snowfall is expected.
