Continued snowfall, very strong winds, and a two day warming trend have formed wind slabs above 7500 feet. These slabs will be sensitive to backcountry skiers and riders today in steep leeward terrain and could potentially release naturally at higher elevations from additional loading or from failing cornices that have grown considerably during recent days. Careful snowpack evaluation and and cautious route finding is essential today. Below 7500, avalanche activity is less likely, however small wind slabs loaded on specific terrain features or wet slides could occur this afternoon in very steep terrain if sustained rains occur.
Very strong west to southwest winds over the last three days with gusts to over 100 mph have formed soft to hard wind slabs in leeward terrain. Slab depths could reach two feet at 9000 feet and could exceed three feet at the highest elevations. At the lower elevations isolated pockets of wind slab up to a foot in depth could be human triggered on very steep wind loaded avalanche prone slopes.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Periods of heavy snow are expected tonight and through the day on Thursday. Strong winds from the southwest to west with twenty five to thirty five mile per hour averages are to accompany this snowfall. Over a foot of snow is expected by Friday evening. Temperatures are to continue to rise with higher elevations reaching near thirty degrees during the afternoon. Valleys will be above freezing and rain is expected there and on low elevation slopes. If forecast snowfall amounts occur, the general avalanche hazard will be High above 9000 feet where natural avalanche activity due to rapid loading and potential cornice failures will be likely. This activity will be in form of small to large wind slabs with depths to three feet that could be soft or hard. Between 7500 and 9000 feet the avalanche hazard will be considerable where humans will be able to easily trigger slabs to eighteen inches in some terrain. Below 7500 feet the hazard will be Low to Moderate where rain may provide a chance for some wet slide activity.
