Backcountry travelers have the potential to trigger slab avalanches in terrain above 9000 feet. Persistent slabs lie upon weak snow at the base of the snowpack in north facing terrain and could be triggered by the weight of a single person. Surface slab avalanches could also be triggered and once initiated have the potential to step down and cause failure on the basal layer. Avalanches are not expected below 9000 feet.
Weak, faceted snow persists at the base of the snow pack on northerly and shaded aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. Slab avalanches up to 40 inches in depth could be human triggered on this weak layer. Caution is advised as tracks on a slope do not indicate stability.
At the upper elevations recent winds have formed surface slabs one to two feet in depth. In some areas these slabs lie upon buired layers of surface hoar and could be triggered by the weight of a person. If one of these slabs is triggered on a steep northerly aspect it could step down to the weak, facted snow at the base of the snowpack.
Expect partly cloudy to mostly clear skies on Wednesday. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the low 20s before rising into the mid 30s during the day. Westerly ridgetop winds will range from 15 to 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE at the upper elevations and LOW below 9,000 feet. Mostly stable snow exists except on steep, northerly aspects above an elevation of 9,000 feet. There, skiers and riders venturing into very steep avalanche terrain could trigger slab avalanches one to three feet in depth. Previous tracks are not an indication of stability.
