Above 7,500 feet, dangerous conditions lurk in some areas. Up there, skiers and riders could trigger persistent deep slab avalanches up to five feet in depth on a variety of aspects. While the likelihood of triggering these slabs continues to decrease, the high consequences of being caught still warrant CONSIDERABLE hazard. Conservative terrain choices will remain the safest and easiest way to avoid these dangerous slabs. Ridgetop winds picked up overnight, and backcountry travelers might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of soft slab in very steep, leeward terrain near high elevation ridgelines. The release of one of these small slides could step down and trigger a deep slab underneath. Skiers and riders might also be able to trigger an isolated pocket of slab up to two feet deep in very steep, shaded terrain below 7,500 feet.
The December drought layer continues to become less reactive. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to initiate these slabs, but the weight of a single person could still trigger one of these large to very large deep slabs if a shallow weak zone is encountered.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Cloud cover will increase overnight as the leading edge of a Pacific disturbance begins to move into the region. Light to moderate intensity snowfall will begin to develop Monday morning and continue throughout the day. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the mid-single digits before rising into the mid-teens in the afternoon. Northwesterly ridgetop winds will back to the southwest at 5 to 15 miles per hour.While the likelihood of triggering persistent deep slabs continues to decrease, the high consequences of being caught still warrant CONSIDERABLE hazard above 7,500 feet. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to initiate these slabs, but the weight of a single person could still trigger one of these two to five feet deep slabs if a shallow weak zone is encountered. With light winds and low density snowfall forecasted, significant new wind slab production is not expected. However, if new slab development does occur, which would most likely be in leeward terrain near high elevation ridgelines, failure of these new slabs could result in triggering a persistent deep slab underneath. Below 7,500 feet, skiers and riders might be able to trigger an isolated pocket of slab up to two feet deep in very steep, shaded terrain.
