The potential persists for humans to trigger dense slabs in steep terrain at the mid and upper elevations. In very steep terrain at the lower elevations wet slides may become a possibility in areas where rain falls upon isothermal snow.
Skiers and riders could trigger dense surface slabs up to two feet in depth. These slabs lie upon crusts and buried layers of faceted snow that formed in January and are unstable on steep slopes where faceted snow is well preserved or lies upon those crusts. New snow accumulations will increase the load on areas of unstable snow and increase the potential for these slabs to be triggered by humans.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )With mostly clear skies overhead temperatures should drop into the 20s before the next storm system begins to spread valley rain and mountain snow into the region tomorrow morning. A fast moving low pressure trough will bring periods of heavy snowfall to the higher elevations during the day. New snow accumulations could exceed six inches at 10,000 feet by sunset. Periods of lighter snowfall are likely into the night. West-southwest winds at 15 with gusts to 25 to 30 miles per hour will accompany the snow. Temperatures will rise into the 30s. The general avalanche hazard is expected to be MODERATE. Dense surface slabs six inches to two feet in depth could be human triggered in very steep terrain at the mid and upper elevations. Wet slides are possible at the lower elevations on very steep slopes where rain falls upon an isothermal snowpack.
