Stormy weather today with gusty winds and steady snowfall will increase the potential for triggering small wind slab avalanches on steep terrain. Above 9,000 feet, small slabs that formed earlier this week still exist, and snowfall today will create new wind slabs that will become more widespread as the storm progresses. Between 9,000 and 8,000 feet, avalanche activity is unlikely this morning but the hazard could increase depending on snowfall amounts and wind speeds. Below 8,000 feet, the avalanche hazard is Low, and a wintery mix may destabilize the snow’s surfaces resulting in small wet loose slides isolated to steep slopes. Backcountry travelers should monitor the new storm’s arrival and changing conditions.
Shallow wind slabs exist at the upper elevations and today, new slabs will form on leeward terrain features. These soft slab avalanches could be up to a foot in depth and in areas with heavy wind loading may be deeper. The new snow is falling on a variety of surfaces from soft snow to crusts that may create good sliding surfaces.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A quick moving system will bring pacific moisture to the region Sunday morning. By the end of tomorrow, there could be 4 to 8 inches of accumulation in the mountains and a few inches in the valleys. Temperatures at 10,000 feet will be in the low twenties and valleys will warm to the freezing level. Southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds will continue to be the upper teens with gusts into the twenties. Recent wind and snow have formed wind slabs above 9,000 feet, and additional loading from tomorrow’s snowfall will continue to build these slabs. Skiers and riders could trigger small soft slab avalanches, up to a foot in depth, at the upper elevations on steep leeward slopes. Due to the underlying crusts, these small avalanches could entrain snow and run longer distances on steep sustained slopes. Below 9,000 feet, avalanche activity will be unlikely and isolated to small pockets on steep terrain.
