Backcountry travelers could trigger newly developed surface slabs on a variety of aspects at the mid and upper elevations. As the day warms, any extended periods of sunshine will increase the likelihood of triggering these slides on sunlit aspects.
Ten to fourteen inches of new snow, driven by moderate to strong southwesterly to westerly ridgetop winds, have created new surface slabs in leeward terrain. These slabs, with depths of twelve to eighteen inches, lie upon slick sliding surfaces and could be easily triggered by skiers and riders in steep avalanche terrain above 7,500 feet.
Cloud cover will decrease during the day on Thursday as a ridge of high pressure moves into the region from the west. Overnight lows in the mountains will be near 20 before rising into the mid-30s during the day. Westerly to northwesterly ridgetop winds will range from 10 to 20 miles per hour.Skiers and riders could trigger pockets of recently developed surface slab up to a foot deep in steep, wind-loaded terrain on Thursday. As the day warms, these slabs will become more sensitive to human triggers. In steep, sunlit terrain, daytime warming will also bring the possibility of wet loose sluffs, particularly near rock outcroppings and cliff bands.
