At the upper elevations, skiers and riders could trigger small to large wind slabs in very steep, avalanche prone terrain. Temperatures are starting out close to 10 degrees warmer than yesterday morning, and these slabs could become more susceptible to failure as the day warms, especially if extended periods of rain or sunshine occur. The snowpack is mostly stable at the mid and lower elevations this morning. Increasing temperatures, rain and/or periods of sunshine could bring about the possibility of small wet slides at all elevations in the afternoon. If snow surfaces start to become wet, seek out low angle terrain. In both of last week’s fatalities, the victims were wearing transceivers, but tragically neither of their beacons were turned on. This a stark reminder to do full beacon checks before leaving the trailhead. For every person, verify their batteries are good, and their transceivers are both sending and receiving properly.
Wind slabs, with depths of one to two feet, reside above crusts and dense settled snow above 9,000 feet. These slabs are the likely culprits in the two fatalities toward the end of last week, and backcountry travelers could trigger similar slides on very steep, avalanche prone slopes. The likelihood of triggering these slabs could increase as the day warms.
Expect mostly cloudy to overcast skies on Monday as a Pacific low pressure system off of the Northern California coast streams moisture into the region from the southwest. By tomorrow evening, four to eight inches of new snow could accumulate in the mountains. In the valleys, snowfall will transition to rain as the day warms. Overnight lows in the mountains are expected to be in the mid-20s before rising into the mid-30s in the afternoon. Southwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 10 to 20 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Moderate above 9,000 feet on Monday. Skiers and riders may still be able to trigger pockets of wind slab with depths of one to two feet in very, steep avalanche prone terrain. The likelihood of triggering these slabs may increase with daytime warming. Below 9,000 feet, the snowpack will be mostly stable in the morning. As the day warms, the chance for wet slides could develop in terrain with significant rainfall. Monitor weather conditions, and avoid steep terrain with wet, unconsolidated snow. When planning your travel routes, consider the impacts to the healthcare community that a serious accident would create, and make sure to do full beacon checks for all members of your party before leaving the trailhead.
