Mostly stable snow exists and avalanches are unlikely at the mid and lower elevations. At the high elevations, the majority of terrain can be skied or ridden safely however wind slabs that could be human triggered lie in steep avalanche paths that are prone to wind loading. In isolated areas, deeper slabs also lie in unsupported cliff bands at high elevations. These slabs would be very unlikely to trigger but would carry severe consequence.
At the upper elevations dense wind slabs up to 18 inches in depth could be human triggered in steep terrain. These slabs were formed earlier in the week.
Cloud cover on Saturday will increase throughout the day in advance of the next system that could bring snow by Saturday evening. Temperatures during the day Saturday will be again warm with peaks staying in the twenties while valleys rise into the forties.The general avalanche hazard will be Low below 9000 feet and Moderate above that elevation. At the higher elevations, hard slabs could be triggered in very steep terrain. Larger triggers such as snow machines or groups of skiers/riders may be required to initiate their release. Hazard is generally limited to unsupported slopes in very steep cliff areas.
