Backcountry travelers have the potential to trigger persistent slabs on a variety of aspects and elevations today. Isolated pockets of newly formed wind slab could also be triggered in steep, wind-loaded terrain to depths of six inches. Sunlight and warming temperatures will further weaken these hazards during the afternoon hours. Careful snowpack and terrain evaluation is necessary for safe travel in avalanche terrain today.
Persistent weak layers exist in the snowpack. These layers formed during cold, dry periods and were buried on December 8th and January 5th. The weight of a single person could still cause failure of these weak layers creating a slab avalanche with depths of one to four feet. Larger loads, such as groups of people or snowmachines, are more likely to trigger one of these events.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Dry conditions and mostly clear conditions are expected on Thursday. Temperatures are to rise into the upper twenties and winds are to be light. Avalanche conditions are to be Moderate. Persistent weaknesses continue to pose a threat to backcountry travelers and could release to depths of three feet. These slides are becoming unlikely to trigger which makes the few slopes still prone to failure hard to predict. Additional hazard exists in very steep terrain above 7500 feet that is prone to wind loading. In these loaded areas the chance to trigger small slides continues.
