Heavy snowfall and strong southwest winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions at mid and upper elevations. With some areas receiving over one and one half inches of moisture in a foot of snow, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making will be essential for safe travel today.
Strong west winds have driven a foot of heavy new snow onto lee slopes creating sensitive slabs one to two feet in depth at mid and upper elvations. The heavy new snow containing up to one and one half inches of water rests on a firm crust.
Beneath the new snow dense slabs to two feet in depth rest on a layer of buried surface hoar over a hard crust. The new snow has increased the sensitivity of these slabs and backcountry users could trigger avalanches pulling out the new and old snow to depths of 3 feet on steep, northerly aspects at upper elevations.
Light snowfall is possible over the peaks Sunday evening with clearing Monday. Morning temperatures at 9,500 feet will be in the low teens warming to the mid 20s during the day. Winds will be west to southwesterly at 10 to 15 along the ridges. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate. The new snow, which came in warm, will stabilize with time and colder temperatures. On steep, northerly aspects at mid and upper elevations slabs to two feet in depth could be triggered by backcountry travelers. Stronger triggers such as the second or later person on a slope or snowmachines may be necessary to initiate avalanches. The new snow has also increased the chance for people to trigger deeper, persistent slabs to two feet in depth on northerly aspects above 8500 feet. The hazard will be Low at elevations below 8500 feet where avalanches are unlikely.
