Above 8,500 feet, backcountry travelers venturing into steep, avalanche-prone terrain could trigger large slab avalanches in areas that held snow from October. Don’t let your guard down. While these slabs are becoming less likely to trigger, they still carry high consequences. 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. The snowpack is mostly stable below 8,500 feet.
Large slab avalanches, up to three feet deep at the higher elevations, could be human triggered on old snow surfaces from October. Be suspect of avalanche-prone slopes on northwesterly to easterly aspects at the upper elevations and northerly aspects down to an elevation of 8,500 feet. These slides are more likely to occur in mostly shaded terrain where the old snow surfaces experienced more faceting.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )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.
