Strong southwesterly ridgetop winds, combined with eight to twelve inches of new snow in the past 24 hours, have increased the depth and volume of recently formed wind slabs. As the day warms, these slabs will become more susceptible to failure, and the chance for sluffing of the new snow will also increase, particularly if any extended periods of sunshine occur. Repeated melt-freeze cycles have created a mostly stable snowpack below the old snow surface from Wednesday. This is the last morning forecast for the 2013-2014 winter season.
Backcountry travelers venturing into very steep, wind loaded terrain at the mid and upper elevations could trigger pockets of wind slab one to two feet in depth. These slabs rest upon firm sliding surfaces.
