In avalanche prone terrain above an elevation of 8,000 feet riders and skiers could trigger large slab avalanches that will fail on weak faceted snow layers that persist near the base of the snowpack. The potential for large avalanches to occur on this persistent weak layer warrants conservative terrain choices. Avalanches are unlikely below that elevation.
Large persistent slab avalanches one to three feet in depth can be human triggered on steep slopes. These slabs lie on west through north to east facing terrain at 8000 feet. As the elevation increases, the weak snow layer has greater distribution and can be found on southeast through north to southwest aspects. These slab avalanches can be triggered on avalanche paths with previous tracks.
( Discussion is generated from the previous day's afternoon forecast. )A broad low-pressure trough will remain over the region through Saturday. However, conditions will remain generally dry. On Thursday skies will be partly to mostly cloudy. Conditions will be colder with overnight lows in the single digits and daytime highs in the teens in the mountains and in the 20’s in the valleys. Light winds overnight will increase to 10 to 20 miles per hour from the west-southwest during the day.In the mountains large slab avalanches could be human triggered on steep slopes. These dangerous slabs lie upon a persistent weak layer near the base of the snowpack on north facing terrain at 8,000 feet and on west through north to east aspects at 9,000 feet and on southwest through north to southeast aspects above an elevation of 10,000 feet. Determining which slopes could still fail is difficult. Avalanches involving this weak layer could be 2 to 4 feet deep and could be triggered by a snowmobiler or skier after an avalanche path has been tracked. In these areas the general avalanche hazard is moderate. The general avalanche hazard is low below an elevation of 8,000 feet. In that terrain the general avalanche hazard is low.
