Backcountry travelers have the potential to trigger avalanches in terrain above 9000 feet. In north facing terrain older, persistent slabs lurk and surface slabs lie in high exposed terrain on a variety of aspects. The persistent slabs lie upon weak snow at the base of the snowpack and could be triggered independently or as a result of triggering the more sensitive wind slabs. Avalanches are not expected below 9000 feet.
Weak, faceted snow persists at the base of the snow pack on northerly and shaded aspects above 9,000 feet. Slabs to depths of 40 inches could be triggered on this layer. This weakness is prevalent in this terrain and could fail even after a slope has been skied or crossed. These slabs could become more sensitive this afternoon if significant warming occurs in this high elevation terrain.
Winds from varying directions over the last several days have formed surface slabs with depths to two feet. Backcountry travelers could trigger these slides in steep exposed terrain and areas of obvious wind loading should be avoided. These slabs also could become temporarily more sensitive this afternoon as warming occurs.
High pressure and inversion conditions are to continue. Morning lows are expected to be in the teens at high elevations and near zero in valleys where morning fog can be expected. Daytime highs are to reach into the thirties. The avalanche hazard will be Moderate above 9000 feet. On north facing slopes weak snow at the base of the snowpack remains susceptible to failure. Smaller surface slabs could also be triggered on a variety of aspects and could step down to the deeper instabilities if triggered in steep north facing terrain. Avalanches below 9000 feet are not expected.
