This morning west to northwest winds have increased and begun to load leeward slopes at the higher elevations. On steep terrain, these soft slab avalanches could entrain loose snow and increase in enough volume to bury a person. Even though it has become unlikely to trigger a deep slab avalanche, it is still a concern above 7,500 feet. To initiate failure on this persistent layer it will take a large load, like a snowmobile or a surface slab avalanche, or in areas with a thin snowpack. Below 7,500 feet, avalanches are unlikely.
Strong west to northwest winds continue to load leeward slopes above 8,000 feet, favoring the upper elevation start zones. These slabs could be 1 to 2 feet in depth and will be more easily triggered by a human as the day warms.
Although becoming less likely, a chance still exists to trigger deep hard slabs involving weak snow near the base of the snowpack. If triggered these slabs could have crown depths of 3 to 7 feet. Larger triggers such as a cornice drop, a moving wind slab or a snowmachine hitting a thin spot on a slope may be required to trigger such an event. Involvement in one of these slides would likely be fatal.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The next Pacific system will be dropping south in a northwest flow tonight. It will spread light snowfall into the region. Accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are likely overnight. Skies are expected to gradually clear after 9 am and become mostly sunny in the afternoon and evening. Temperatures will rise into the 20's. Winds will be from the north-northwest at 5 to 15 with gusts to 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be moderate at the mid and upper elevations (7,500 to 10.500 feet). Up there, skiers and riders could trigger soft slab avalanches on steep slopes. These surface slabs could be up to two feet deep. These slides will be large enough to hurt or bury a person and will be especially hazardous in steep chutes, couloirs, cliff areas and above terrain traps. Deep persistent slab avalanches are still a concern. These dangerous slides could be 3 to 7 feet deep and could fail due to the weight of a snowmachine, the release of a surface slab or when a skier or rider on a steep avalanche prone slope crosses a thin area of a persistent slab. The general avalanche hazard at the lower elevations is expected to be low.
