At the upper elevations strong northwest winds have drifted snow onto leeward aspects. Wind slab avalanches could be triggered by skiers and riders who venture into steep avalanche prone terrain features. Wet slides are also a possibility on steep sunlit slopes and cliff areas. The potential for wet slides to occur and for humans to trigger wind slabs will increase as the day progresses. Monitor conditions and be prepared to move to cooler aspects and off of and out from under steep terrain during the warmest portion of the day. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.
At the higher elevations northwest winds have formed slabs up to two feet in depth. These slabs could be triggered by skiers in steep, wind loaded avalanche starting zones and could injure or bury a person. These slabs are likely to become increasingly sensitive to human triggers as the day warms.
Expect mostly cloudy skies and light mountain snow/valley rain as northwesterly flow aloft brings a Pacific disturbance through the region. Overnight lows in the mountains will be in the upper teens before rising to near 30 in the afternoon. Northwesterly ridgetop winds will back to the southwest at 15 to 25 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 9,000 feet on Friday. Skiers and riders venturing into very steep, wind-loaded terrain could trigger recently developed wind slabs up to two feet in depth. Daytime warming may increase the likelihood of triggering these slabs and bring about the possibility of shallow point slides. Any unexpected periods of sunshine should initiate a conversation about travel through or below sunlit, avalanche terrain. Below 9,000 feet, the snowpack is mostly stable during the cool, morning hours. As the day progresses, warming temperatures and possible sunshine could increase the hazard in isolated areas.
