Avalanche conditions remain dangerous. Small to large avalanches are possible to be human triggered on steeps slopes on a variety of aspects above an elevation of 7,500 feet. Expert terrain assessment skills and conservative terrain choices are essential for safe travel in avalanche terrain.
Strong and gusty southwest to westerly winds have caused extensive drifting and cross-loaded avalanche starting zones on a variety of aspects. At the higher elevations recently formed wind slabs up to two feet in depth are possible to be triggered on steep wind loaded terrain features.
Dangerous deep slab avalanches could be human triggered or release naturally where today's winds continue to drift snow into avalanche starting zones. On steep slopes above an elevation of 8,500 feet, these persistent slab avalanches could step down to depths of 3 to 5 feet.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Conditions will be dry with light winds through Thursday. Skies that will be partly cloudy in the morning will become mostly cloudy late in the day. Temperatures will be in the single digits tonight and rise into the teens in the mountains and into the 20s in the valleys during the day. Winds will back to the south at 10 to 15 miles per hour.Deep instabilities persist. Large to very large slab avalanches 5 to 10 feet in depth could be triggered by humans at the mid and upper elevations where the general avalanche hazard is expected to be considerable. Lesser hazard is expected below an elevation of 7,500 feet where slab avalanches 1 to 3 feet could be triggered by humans on some steep wind loaded terrain features.
