Dangerous avalanche conditions exist and human triggered avalanches are likely at the mid and upper elevations. Snow that has fallen this week has deposited 18 inches of snow and approximately 3 inches of moisture on a snowpack comprised of persistent weak layers. Cautious route finding and conservative decision making is essential. At low elevations, avalanches are unlikely given shallow snow depths.
Slabs to three feet in depth lie on a variety of aspects over weak faceted snow. In many areas this fragile snowpack is also complicated by crust layers. These slabs are sensitive, could release on approach and could propagate long distances across terrain boundaries.
On Saturday partly to mostly cloudy skies could provide for occasional flurries. Temperatures are to reach into the low twenties at mid mountain locations and winds are to be light. The general avalanche hazard is to remain Considerable. Although the slabs themselves are gaining some strength the persistent weak layers below them remain suspect to failure by skiers or riders hitting a weak spot in steep avalanche paths on all aspects. These conditions make it difficult in predicting which slopes could fail and provides conditions where these stiff slabs may break above the person who triggers it. Conservative decision making is essential.
