HIGH avalanche danger is developing rapidly above and below treeline as the next wave of the current storm cycle moves into the region. Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended. Please note that this forecast is valid until 7 am Sunday. The next update will occur by that time.
Wind slabs are becoming larger in size and more widespread. Wind slabs today were easily skier triggered in wind loaded areas. The vast majority of wind slabs will exist on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. More isolated wind slabs may also exist in other areas where wind drifted snow is depositing, including below treeline. Large destructive avalanches are possible. Avoid travel in or below avalanche terrain.
High intensity snowfall has formed storm slabs in wind protected areas near treeline and below treeline on all aspects. Storm slab avalanches will be large enough to bury or injure a person (up to size D2). Travel in or below avalanche terrain is not recommended.
* Wind slab avalanches with 6-8" crowns were easy to intentionally skier trigger at treeline on wind loaded NW-N-NE aspects at 11 am on Carpenter Ridge (Independence Lake area).
* Snow surface cracking associated with storm slabs was occurring by 1:45 pm in wind protected areas below treeline on Carpenter Ridge (Independence Lake area).
* Multiple skier triggered avalanches were reported midday today from Incline Lake Peak (Mount Rose area) on NE-E-SE aspects. Some were wind slabs and some were storm slabs all with crown heights ranging from 3 to 8 inches.
* The mid level and deeper portions of the snowpack remain well consolidated and without problematic weak layers. Avalanche activity is expected to continue to occur at or above the old/new snow interface.
