Above an elevation of 8,500 feet the general avalanche hazard is MODERATE. Shallow wind slabs could be triggered by riders or skiers in steep wind loaded terrain. The chance also persists for snowmobilers to trigger dangerous hard slab avalanches in isolated areas. Avalanches are unlikely below an elevation of 8,500 feet.
A slight possibility may remain for large loads to trigger deep hard slabs in isolated areas where weak faceted snow persist near the base of the snowpack. These dangerous slabs could have depths to five feet.
Slab avalanches up to two feet in depth could be triggered by riders or skiers in very steep terrain and cliff areas.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )An upper level trough will pass over the region and bring snow showers to the mountains and scattered snow showers, which may mix with rain at times, to the lower elevations. Accumulations of a couple inches are possible overnight. On Sunday skies will be mostly cloudy. Snow showers are likely in the mountains and several inches of accumulation are likely. Temperatures will rise into the 30s in the mountains and into the 40s in the valleys. West winds will back towards the northwest and increase from 20 to near 30 miles per hour with higher gusts in the afternoon. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE above an elevation of 8,500 feet where pockets of slab up to two feet in depth could be triggered by humans in very steep avalanche starting zones and cliff areas. The hazard at the lower elevations is anticipated to be LOW.
