Dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry. Since early yesterday morning, 17 inches of snow containing approximately two inches of water has fallen in the mountains. At the mid and high elevations, new snow and wind have formed slabs that lie upon lighter snow and crusts. These slabs will be very sensitive to backcountry travelers and some potential exists for them to release naturally. At lower elevations, rain has weakened the snowpack and wet loose avalanche activity could be easily initiated in very steep terrain. Careful snowpack evaluation and conservative decision making is essential today and route choices need to consider the high variability between low and high elevation hazards.
Wind and new snow have formed slabs in avalanche terrain above 8000 feet. These slabs will be sensitive today and could release to depths of one to three feet in steep avalanche starting zones. These slabs could release as soft slabs in higher terrain or have characteristics of wet slabs at elevations closer to 8000 feet. Rising temperatures will increase the sensitivity of these slabs today.
The chance for snow is to return to the high elevations by morning and continue through Saturday. Temperatures are to be slightly cooler with mountain highs in the mid-twenties. Accumulations of two to five inches are predicted. At the lower elevations overnight freezing will be followed by temperatures warming into the upper thirties.The general avalanche hazard will be Considerable above 7500 feet. Slabs to three feet could be triggered in very steep terrain. This hazard will increase as warming occurs, particularly if that warming is accelerated by periods of sunshine. Wet loose slides may also become possible. Below 7500 feet the hazard will be low in the morning and increase to moderate in the afternoon as the snow surface quickly softens and weakens.
