Skiers and riders have the potential to trigger slab avalanches in steep wind loaded terrain. These soft to dense slabs lie over weak faceted snow layers on a variety of aspects. The likelihood of finding unstable, potentially large slabs is greater above 8000 feet and a chance also remains to find isolated pockets of soft slab in steep low elevation terrain. Be wary of letting sunshine and the decreasing sensitivity of this persistent problem affect sound decision making. Evaluate terrain and the snowpack carefully when travelling in the mountains today and avoid very steep wind loaded areas.
Abpve 8000 feet, large slab avalanches could be triggered on buried persistent weak snow layers with depths of one to three feet. At the lower elevations recently fallen snow lies upon a snowpack that was mostly faceted last week. Slabs to a foot in depth could be triggered in steep isolated terrain features.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )Tomorrow is to be cold again. Sub zero temperatures are expected in the morning at all elevations with the coldest temperatures being in the valleys. Winds are to be calmer and temperatures are expected to rise to the upper teens at all elevations in the afternoon. The general avalanche hazard will be Moderate tomorrow. Although the sensitivity and therefore the likelihood of triggering slab avalanches continues to decrease, failure could still occur from the presence of a single skier or rider, especially in very steep terrain where the old weaknesses exist.
