Wind slabs lie in the backcountry above elevations of 8000 feet. These slabs have formed throughout this week as continued snowfall, very strong winds, and a warming trend have deposited dense snow on leeward terrain. These slabs could be triggered by backcountry travelers today and could release naturally at high elevations due to additional loading or from failing cornices that have grown considerably during recent days. Below 8000 feet, avalanche activity is less likely except for small wet slides that could occur as rain saturates and weakens the upper portion of the snowpack. Careful snowpack evaluation and conservative decision making is essential today at all elevations as temperatures continue to warm and precipitation continues.
Very strong west to southwest winds over the last four days with gusts to over 60 mph have formed soft to hard wind slabs in leeward terrain. Slab depths could exceed three feet at the highest elevations.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Periods of heavy snowfall are expected to continue through Friday evening. Up to a foot of new snow could fall during this time at the high elevations. Temperatures are to remain relatively warm through this period and light rain is expected in the valleys. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be Considerable above 9000 feet and Moderate below that elevation. As snow in the maritime type storm system continues to load slopes, dense wind slabs could be easily human triggered with depths that could reach three feet at the higher elevations where a chance for natural activity will also exist in areas of excessive wind loading or in paths or bowls that could be impacted by cornice drops. If significant rainfall occurs at lower elevations, a chance for isolated wet slide activity could also develop.
