Above 8,000 feet, the possibility remains for skiers and riders to trigger small to large persistent slab avalanches in steep terrain. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, may be more likely to initiate one of these slides. Faceted snow from the November dry spell should be evaluated carefully, and previous tracks on a slope are not an indication of stability. The shallow snowpack below 8,000 feet is mostly stable.
Backcountry travelers could trigger persistent slab avalanches up to two feet deep on steep slopes above 8,000 feet. These slabs rest upon buried surface hoar and faceted snow, and sun crusts are present in some locations just above these weak layers.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )The chance for light snowfall will continue overnight and into the morning hours on Saturday, and partly to mostly cloudy skies will remain over the region through the day. Nighttime lows in the mountains will be in the upper single digits before rising into the upper teens in the afternoon. Westerly ridgetop winds will range from 5 to 15 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to remain Moderate above 7,500 feet on Saturday. The possibility continues for skiers and riders to trigger persistent slab avalanches up to 30 inches deep in steep terrain. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, may be more likely to initiate one of these slides. Faceted snow from the November dry spell should be evaluated carefully, and previous tracks on a slope are not an indication of stability. Below 7,500 feet, the shallow snowpack is mostly stable.
