The chance continues for riders and skiers to trigger slab avalanches in very steep terrain. These slabs could vary in depth from one to four feet, with the deeper slabs possible at the higher elevations. Yesterday a group of snowmobilers had a close call when they triggered a sizable slide in the Wolf Creek drainage of the Snake River Range.
Persistent slabs lie upon weak snow surfaces formed during a mostly dry period in January. These slabs lie in very steep terrain and could have depths to four feet. Predicting where the weaknesses could still be triggered is problematic at this time as many slopes will hold before a similar slope fails. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully and identify features of concern.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )After a mostly clear night snowfall is to develop Friday morning and increase in intensity later Friday afternoon and evening as a large low pressure system begins to impact the area. This system is expected to track to the south of the region and bring strongest snowfall to the southern and eastern mountains of our forecast areas. Temperatures are to rise into the low twenties and winds are to be southerly with ten mile per hour averages. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate as slabs to four foot depths lie over persistent weak layers formed in January. These slabs are most likely to be found in very steep avalanche starting zones and in cliff and rocky areas.
