The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE above an elevation of 8,500 feet and LOW below that elevation. Some potential may remain for humans to trigger large slab avalanches in steep terrain on buried old snow surfaces that are faceted. Small pockets of new wind slab may begin to form on leeward aspects along the highest ridge lines.
Large slab avalanches could be human triggered on old snow surfaces on west through north to east aspects at the upper elevations and northerly aspects down to an elevation of 8,500 feet. These slabs could be up to four feet deep at the upper elevations and up to two feet deep at the mid elevations.
Expect mostly cloudy skies as southwesterly flow brings the second in a series of weak Pacific disturbances to the area. Light snowfall will begin after midnight and continuing into the morning hours before dissipating as the day progresses. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 20 before climbing into the mid-20s during the day. Westerly ridgetop winds will veer to the northwest at 20 to 30 miles per hour.The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE above 8,500 feet and LOW below 8,500 feet. Backcountry travelers might still be able to trigger a large slab avalanche up to four feet deep in steep, avalanche prone terrain that held snow from October. These slides would most likely occur in mostly shaded terrain where the old snow surfaces experienced more faceting. Skiers and riders might also be able to trigger an isolated pocket of newly developed shallow wind slab on very steep, wind loaded slopes near upper elevation ridgelines.
