The general avalanche hazard is MODERATE at the mid and upper elevations and LOW below an elevation of 7,500 feet. Yesterdays strong northwest winds created new hard wind slabs on leeward aspects in exposed areas. In addition weak layers of well developed faceted snow and buried surface hoar persist in the snowpack. Slab avalanches could be triggered today by skiers or riders who venture into steep avalanche prone terrain. Avalanches are unlikely at the lower elevations.
At the upper elevations hard wind slabs were formed on leeward aspects by yesterday's strong northwest winds. These slabs could be human triggered on steep slopes where they are poorly bonded to slick or weak, old snow surfaces. These slabs could be triggered to depths of 18 inches and could step down to deeper layers of faceted snow.
Persistent layers of faceted snow lie in the snowpack. Slabs laying on these layers vary from one foot to as much as four feet in depth. These older hard slabs could be triggered after initiation of a new wind slab, by a single person hitting a weak spot or by larger loads such as snow machines.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. ) An upper level high pressure ridge will build in from the west and bring milder air to the region. Monday will be dry and start out cold with temperatures in the single digits below zero. Skies will be mostly sunny and temperatures will rise into the upper teens. Winds will be northwesterly and diminish from 20 to 10 miles per hour. At the mid and upper elevations the general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE. Wind slabs one to two feet in depth could be human triggered and could step down though weak layers of faceted snow to depths of four feet. At the lower elevations the general avalanche hazard is expected to be LOW.
