The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE at the mid and upper elevations and LOW below an elevation of 7,500 feet. Weak layers of well developed faceted snow and buried surface hoar persist in the snowpack. Skiers and riders who venture onto steep avalanche prone slopes could trigger slab avalanches that fail on these persistent weak layers.
At the mid and upper elevations surface slabs one to two feet in depth could be human triggered and could step down to weaker layers with depths to four feet. These slabs could be triggered by a single person hitting a weak spot or by larger loads such as snow machines. Steep, wind loaded, avalanche prone terrain should be avoided today.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Cold arctic air will continue to seep into the region. Some light snowfall is likely overnight with a couple of inches of light density snow possible in areas favored by a northwest flow. On Sunday skies will slowly clear as the snowfall diminishes. Temperatures in the mountains will be in the single digits above and below zero. Winds along the higher ridge crests will be northwesterly at 15 to 20 miles per hour.At the mid and upper elevations the general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE. Surface slabs one to two feet in depth could be human triggered and could step down though weak layers of faceted snow to depths of four feet. At the lower elevations the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW. Isolated pockets of wind slab up to a foot in depth could be human triggered in some steep wind loaded avalanche starting zones.
