At the mid and upper elevations, skiers and riders could trigger small to large persistent slab avalanches in steep terrain. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, may be more likely to initiate one of these slides. Evaluate the snowpack carefully, and don’t let previous tracks fool you into thinking that a slope is safe. The shallow snowpack is mostly stable at the lower elevations.
Backcountry travelers may be able to trigger persistent slab avalanches up to 30 inches in depth on steep slopes above 7,500 feet. These slabs reside above faceted snow and crusts that formed during the dry period in November.
The chance for light snowfall will continue overnight and into the morning hours on Saturday, and partly to mostly cloudy skies will remain over the region through the day. Nighttime lows in the mountains will be in the upper single digits before rising into the upper teens in the afternoon. Westerly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Moderate above 7,500 feet on Saturday. The possibility continues for skiers and riders to trigger persistent slab avalanches up to 30 inches deep in steep terrain. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, may be more likely to initiate one of these slides. Faceted snow from the November dry spell should be evaluated carefully, and previous tracks on a slope are not an indication of stability. Below 7,500 feet, the shallow snowpack is mostly stable.
