Strong westerly to northwesterly winds continued to transport the new snow onto leeward slopes and slowly increased the new snow’s slab properties. Yesterday, numerous soft slabs and loose snow sluffs were triggered or released naturally. These slides primary occurred on easterly to southeasterly aspects ranging in elevation from 7,500 to 8,500 feet and were one to two feet deep. Similar slides will be possible today. Skiers and riders could also trigger persistent slabs failing on faceted weak layers below the recent snowfall. Continue to make conservative terrain choices and avoid slopes that exhibit shooting cracks or whumpfing.
Recent snowfall and very strong winds have loaded weak layers of faceted snow that formed during the mostly dry period from the first half of December. Below this faceted snow, stout crusts from the end of November and sun crusts from December provide good sliding surfaces. Backcountry travelers could trigger slab avalanches failing on these layers to depths of one to three feet.
Snow will return to the region as a stream of moisture moves across Oregon and northern Utah. Snow is expected to develop overnight and continue into Tuesday. Total storm accumulations of 8 to 17 inches are possible. Winds will be westerly at 20 to 25 with gusts from 35 to 40 miles per hour. Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens.The new snow and winds will be increasing the load on a snowpack with persistent weak layers that have very recently produced avalanches. Conditions will continue to be dangerous above an elevation of 7,500 feet. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely on a variety of aspects and terrain features. Expert terrain and snowpack evaluation skills and restraint will be essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain. The additional snow will increase the size of this storm’s avalanche events and therefor increase the consequences of being caught. The general avalanche is expected to be CONSIDRABLE in the morning and may increase to HIGH.
