Some areas in the Southwest Trails forecast zone have a snowpack with poor structure, and large to very large, high consequence persistent slab avalanches remain a concern. Small to large surface slabs could also be triggered by backcountry travelers in very steep, avalanche prone terrain above 7,500 feet. Don’t let previous tracks lull you into thinking a slope is safe; they are not an indicator of stability.
Skiers and riders still have some potential of triggering recently developed surface slabs up to two feet deep on very steep, avalanche prone slopes above 7,500 feet.
In steep terrain above 7,500 feet, the potential remains for backcountry travelers to trigger persistent slab avalanches with depths of three to five feet. In terrain where the snowpack is less than six feet deep, these dangerous slabs are likely to reside above weak, large-grained faceted snow. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles or the release of a surface slab, are more likely than an individual skier to initiate one of these slabs. Similar slabs with depths of one to three feet could be triggered below 7,500 feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Cloud cover will increase overnight ahead of a Pacific storm system that will begin to bring light to moderate intensity snowfall to the region on Saturday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near zero before rising to around 10 degrees in the afternoon. Westerly ridgetop winds will back to the southwest at 10 to 20 miles per hour.Skiers and riders still have some potential of triggering recently developed surface slabs up to three feet deep in very steep, avalanche prone terrain above 7,500 feet. Persistent slab avalanches, with depths of three to five feet, remain a concern in some areas. Poor snowpack structure is likely to be found on slopes where the snowpack is less than six feet deep, and persistent slab avalanches are more likely to be triggered in these areas. Larger triggers, such as snowmobiles or the release of a surface slab, are more likely than an individual skier to initiate one of these slabs. Don’t let previous tracks lull you into thinking a slope is safe; they are not an indicator of stability.
